Talking to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, the British boss revealed that Button indeed did not look for a lucrative deal for the new season, no matter the team that offered him such a deal, but a new challenge in the world of Formula 1. Being compared so many times with his countryman Lewis Hamilton, the 29-year old Brit wanted to finally bring that discussion to an end.
And the only way he knew how was to join Hamilton's team for the next 3 years of his career. Having won the drivers' title last season – and therefore tie Hamilton for world titles in the series, at one – Button will now have the chance to drive the same car as his fellow countryman. So nobody could blame it on the car if he'll indeed manage to outscore Ham in the 2010 standings.
“His decision is disappointing because we worked so well together. But whatever is said, it was not about the money. In the end our offer was even more attractive than McLaren's,” said Brawn for the aforementioned publication, hinting once again that Button's switch was not about the money at all.
“But it doesn't make sense to employ a driver who would not be happy and sees a bigger challenge somewhere else. Further negotiations would have been pointless. Jenson obviously wanted to be in the same car against Lewis Hamilton. That's brave and I have to respect it,” added the Mercedes GP boss.
Brawn reportedly offered Button a huge financial deal for the upcoming season, namely a 12 million pounds sterling per season (8 million guaranteed, while the other 4 million would have come in race-to-race bonuses). As compared to Brawn's offer, McLaren allegedly signed the Brit for an 18 million pounds sterling deal for the entire 3 seasons.
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