Button in talks over switch to McLaren; MOTOR SPORT.McLAREN remain locked in talks 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. over a deal which could see the new world champion paired with Lewis Hamilton Lewis Carl Hamilton (born January 7, 1985 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire) is a British Formula One racing driver. Hamilton started karting aged eight. When he was ten,[1] in an all-British line-up from next year. 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. Yesterday'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. Reports today suggest Button has since agreed terms on a threeyear deal worth pounds 18million, 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. He said: "The situation is that we have no comment. "There has been a lot said on it already, and there is nothing I can say over and above what is out there." 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 salary of pounds 6million as postulated today is short of the pounds 8million figure which had been widely reported. The Mercedes takeover, which will see the Brawn team rebranded as Mercedes Grand Prix from 2010, has further heightened the doubts over Button's future. German driver Nico Rosberg, while still to be confirmed, has a deal in place with Brawn for next season, while compatriot com·pa·tri·ot n. 1. A person from one's own country. 2. A colleague. [French compatriote, from Late Latin compatri Nick Heidfeld has also been linked with the team. However, Brawn chief executive Nick Fry yesterday insisted it was not Mercedes' intention to form an all-German driver line-up. He reiterated Button remains very much in the frame to drive for the rebranded team next season. Timo Glock has been confirmed as Manor Grand Prix's lead driver for their maiden Formula One campaign in 2010. The 27-year-old German was a free agent following Toyota's withdrawal from the sport earlier this month and has signed a twoyear deal with the British team. The Cosworth-powered Manor team are one of four new outfits joining the F1 grid next season, alongside Campos Meta, US F1 and Lotus. |
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