London, Nov.18 A Brawn GP official has said that current Formula One champion Jenson Button's future as a race car driver would be best served if he remained with it, but the latter has in all probability decided to sign up with McLaren.
Ross Brawn broke his silence yesterday to cast doubt on reports that Button is poised to join McLaren next season.
Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Brawn strongly advised the 29-year-old British driver that it was in his own best interests to stay with the team that took him to the world title this season, and dismissed suggestions that Button may have already signed a deal with McLaren that would see him drive alongside Lewis Hamilton in an all-British "dream team".
"Negotiations [with Button] are continuing and the reports that he has already agreed terms with McLaren are not helpful. I would be amazed if that were the case," said Brawn.
"His best future is with our team, where he has a good group around him, and there's a lot to be said for that. The logical thing would be for him to stay with us, but of course logic doesn't always prevail."
Brawn, widely perceived to have saved Button's Formula One career by providing him with a car capable of winning the world championship, said that he last spoke to the driver at the weekend.
That he is now heading off on a fishing holiday would appear to indicate he is reasonably relaxed about the situation.
Button clearly hoped the takeover of Brawn GP by Mercedes, announced on Monday, would give the team the financial clout to increase their offer. Brawn is understood to have offered Button a basic salary of four million pounds with the freedom to boost that figure by signing personal endorsements and sponsorships.
McLaren's offer is at least two million pounds a year more, but would deny the world champion as much freedom to chase commercial deals.
The Mercedes takeover - which saw the car manufacturer take a 75 per cent stake in the team that won the constructors' championship - is reported to have made Ross Brawn, as majority shareholder, at least 35 million pounds, with some reports putting the figure closer to 70 million pounds.
The team will change its name for next season to Mercedes F1. (ANI)
