According to Lauda, Brawn was unhappy with how Button performed during the second half of the season and that's probably why he didn't fight so hard to keep the reigning world champion in his future lineup. Instead, he pleased Mercedes and signed Nico Rosberg, a move that is yet to prove successful.
“I am sure that Ross (Brawn) was not completely satisfied with Jenson’s performance in the second half of the season. But if Mercedes ends up with someone not as good as Jenson, then they’ve drawn the short straw. I would not have an idea who they should take,” said Lauda.
The Austrian ace also argued that it was in fact Ron Dennis and not McLaren's current team principal Martin Whitmarsh to decide on bringing Button to Woking. Having two British champions drive for a British team would consequently boost the team's image in the UK, especially after the recent scandals McLaren has been involved in.
“That was a true ‘Ron Dennis’ move - to run a team with two British world champions,” said Lauda.
Nevertheless, Lauda insisted that Button's title, regardless of his poor form during the second half of the 2009 season, cannot be placed under any shadow of worthiness.
“A world champion is a world champion. You might argue about the manner in which he won, but history has shown that in some years you have guys who win everything, and then you have guys - and I count myself among these - who win with a half point lead in the last race.”
“He put in a good season: starting very strong at the beginning to forge ahead and then keeping the lead through difficult times of constantly losing points, but still staying in front. Yes, the 60th Formula One world champion is a worthy champion,” added the Austrian racer.
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