BUTTON pounds 2M CUT TO JOIN McLAREN; EXCLUSIVE.

Byline: BYRON YOUNG

JENSON BUTTON'S former boss last night insisted the world champion has taken a pounds 2million PAY CUT to join Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

And despite his admiration for Button, Mercedes GP chief Nick Fry says the 29-year-old's switch is not a rational one.

"There is bravery and there is stupidity and we will only find out which it is next year," declared CEO Fry.

"We believe we made Jenson a good offer - one that was significantly more than he is being paid at McLaren. Everyone knows we have enormous respect for Jenson. He's an amazing racing driver. But we are all mystified by this decision.

"We think he has been badly advised and had his head turned by McLaren's glitzy headquarters. We think it's an emotional decision rather than a financial one based on hard dollars."

Although the figures have not been revealed it is thought Button will earn pounds 6m at McLaren, and had been offered pounds 8m at Mercedes .

And Fry has defended his mid-season ruling to halt salary talks until the title fight between Brawn GP team-mates Button and Rubens Barrichello was decided.

He said: "It was totally the right decision because it would have been distracting and just added more pressure to the situation."

CAPTION(S):

SHAKE ON IT Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button teaming up DEJECTED Nick Fry