Button closes in on McLaren switch; MOTORSPORT.Byline: Jamie Strickland AN ALL-British line-up at McLaren next season could move closer to reality today with Jenson Button Jenson Alexander Lyons Button, often called Jense, (born 19 January, 1980) is an English Formula One racing driver. He currently competes for the Honda Racing F1 team. He won his first Grand Prix in Hungary, on August 6 2006 after 113 races. locked in talks to become Lewis Hamilton's team-mate. Button has been heavily linked with McLaren since capturing his maiden Formula One drivers' title in Brazil last month, after talks stalled over a new deal with current employers Brawn GP. Monday's announcement that Mercedes-Benz had secured a controlling interest controlling interest The ownership of a quantity of outstanding corporate stock sufficient to control the actions of the firm. Controlling interest often involves ownership of significantly less than 51% of a firm's outstanding stock because many owners fail in the Brackley-based Brawn team has only served to intensify speculation over where the 29-year-old Briton will be driving next season. Button and his manager Richard Goddard were shown around McLaren's Woking headquarters by team principal Martin Whitmarsh Martin Whitmarsh (born April 29 1958) is the CEO of the McLaren Formula One team. Career Whitmarsh graduated from university with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1980, and started work at British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) as a structural analysis engineer at its last week and, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. reports, Button has since agreed terms on a three-year deal worth pounds 18 million, and will put pen to paper on the contract in the coming days. A McLaren spokesperson confirmed talks between the two parties remain ongoing but refused to be drawn on whether a deal for Button was close, saying: "The situation is that we've got no comment at the moment." Button's negotiations with the Brawn team reportedly stalled over his salary demands. It is believed McLaren are more inclined to meet his expectations, although the suggested salary of pounds 6 million is short of the pounds 8 million figure that had been widely reported. CAPTION(S): Talks: Jenson Button. |
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