As mentioned by us in our previous reports, Button's deal with McLaren allegedly states that the British champion will receive some 6 million pounds sterling per season for the upcoming 3 years. Although that may seem like not much for, say, Lewis Hamilton – who is reportedly driving on a 12 million pounds sterling deal for McLaren – the sum was quite enough to drag Button out of Brackley in recent weeks.
However, Whitmarsh insisted that Button's choice was all about his need to continue winning races in Formula One, while also dismissing rumors that the defending world champion will have to play second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton.
“Everybody at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is absolutely delighted to be able to welcome Jenson to our team. It has always been our policy to employ the two very best possible drivers – and, in Jenson and Lewis, we feel we not only have the fastest pairing on the 2010 grid, but also the two most complete, professional and dedicated drivers in Formula 1,” said Whitmarsh.
“I want to make clear that Jenson’s decision to join us was in no way motivated by money. We’ll be paying him no more than he could be getting elsewhere, and that fact is a reflection of not only Jenson’s belief in Vodafone McLaren Mercedes but also his desire and ambition to build on the phenomenal results he achieved during the 2009 season.”
“We’re ambitious, we’re motivated and we’re hungrier than ever. We make no secret of our ambition for next year: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes wants to win both World Championships – and, with Jenson and Lewis, we believe we’re better equipped than any other team in the pitlane to do exactly that,” concluded the McLaren team principal.
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