As the team's status in the negotiations with Mercedes for a takeover is still unclear, it's rather obvious that the Brackley based team doesn't have a lot of funds to tackle the 2010 Formula One championship. Even if their brand value has grown a lot after winning the F1 title this year, sponsors don't seem to knock on their door that much under the current economic climate.
Basically, their main source of championship money will come from the Formula One Management (FOM), meaning Bernie Ecclestone, as part of the fund-distributing after the 2009 season. Brawn will be entitled to the most money, as they have secured both championship titles last year and scored the most points.
“We can offer a higher proportion of driver freedom and that will probably be the route we will go. Jenson has some freedom for his own endorsements but has a commitment to meet our obligations,” said the team's owner Ross Brawn, according to the media in the UK.
Although “the Big Bear” seems 99 percent confident that Button will remain at Brackley for another season – as stated during the team's celebration on the streets of the aforementioned town – Button may resume talks with McLaren for a 2010 deal. According to several media in the UK, the 2009 champ is seeking 6 million pounds sterling in salary from the Mercedes-backed team.
Prior to this year's finale at Abu Dhabi, Button admitted in a conversation with the media that the money McLaren is putting on the table for a 2010 deal is “a lot”.
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