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Button in the driving seat as he proves he’s the real deal
David Smith19 Oct 2009
When the partying is over and Jenson Button emerges from the hangover of clinching the Formula One world title he will discover that when it comes to negotiating his next contract with Brawn he is now, most definitely, in the driving seat.
Button believes his loyalty to team chief Ross Brawn, plus the manner in which he has dominated this season's title chase, makes him deserving of a lucrative new deal worth a minimum of £8million a year.
After taking fifth place in a dramatic Brazilian grand prix to lift the Formula One crown and put himself in the history books, Button said: “I want to be with a team that can challenge for victories like this season. Brawn can do that.
These guys are not one-hit wonders. I will sit down and discuss it when I've got over my hangover.”
He will find Brawn GP receptive to doing a deal, even though reports suggested the team had been refusing to budge on an offer of £5m a year.
Not only is that considerably less than the going rate for a top driver — Lewis Hamilton is understood to be earning over £10m at McLaren and Fernando Alonso will be paid £20m by Ferrari next year — but it is £3m less than Button would have banked if Honda were still in Formula One.
When the Japanese company quit the grid last December, Button agreed to a voluntary wage cut from £8m to £3m in an attempt to help the fledgling Brawn team, born out of what remained of Honda, get established.
Toyota are already believed to be waiting in the wings with a huge offer for Button to bring the coveted No1 to their team, and Brawn GP chief executive officer Nick Fry admitted: “Jenson's share price has gone up a bit.
“I have the tough job of negotiating, and this will make my life even more difficult. I really hope Jenson stays with the team, and I think it is very likely that will happen. We've got to do a bit of negotiation, but we want him to stay and I know he wants to stay.
“We've been together a long time, six or seven years now. We've been through the hard times together, now we're successful it would be good to carry on together.”
Fry and Brawn broke open the champagne at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo ahead of a big party held in the city last night to celebrate a double triumph — Brawn GP also clinched the constructors' championship in their first season.
Tears flowed as an emotional Brawn described his team's success as “special, very special”, and Button fell crying into the arms of his father John.
Criticised in his early career for adopting a playboy lifestyle at the expense of his performances on the track, Button has matured into a champion with a mix of consistency and controlled aggression.
Six wins from the opening seven races gave Button a points lead he was never to lose, although team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel began to close the gap as 29-year-old Button scored just one podium place since his victory in Turkey back in June.
Button needed to stamp his authority on yesterday's race, won by Red Bull's Mark Webber, in order to answer critics who saw him as an unworthy champion. And from 14th place on the starting grid he did just that with a series of stunning overtaking manoeuvres. Button said: “You don't win the world championship and feel relief, you feel ecstatic. All the memories, good and bad, go through your mind, not just from this year, but previous years in the sport.
“I had such a great start to this season, but then the last few races were pretty stressful for me. The pace was there but we struggled a few times.
“It made it very difficult for me because mentally it hurts when you are not able to get the best out of the car. But this team has done staggeringly well and what we've achieved this season, after the winter we've had, is exceptional.
“It's great to be sat here as world champion and I personally think I thoroughly deserve it. I've been the best over 16 races and that's what world titles are all about.
“I am it. I am a world champion and I'm going to keep saying it, especially after a race that for me was the best I've driven in my life.”
Hamilton, the outgoing champion whose brilliant drive from 17th on the grid to third was overshadowed by Button's glory, knows exactly what the title will mean to his countryman.
The McLaren star, who endured a miserable start to the defence of his title said: “Being world champion, it brings respect. And it shows the world who you are and what you're capable of. My goal was always to come to the sport and show that I can be the very best.”
Reader views (11)
Every congratulation to Button on his World Championship, but I really can't see him winning another one.
- Paul, London, 20/10/2009 08:53
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totally agree with you DUNCAN, jenson button is a joke of a driver, no talent what so ever, the only reason he won was cos he won the first 6 races, after that he just faded in the back ground as usual, Lewis Hamilton is a worthy champion,first season missed out by 1 point and second season clinched the world title, it has taken Jenson eight years and he only won his first ever race this season, savour it while it lasts Jenson cos come next season you will not be champion!
- Jason, london, 20/10/2009 02:28
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Jenson well done. Ross Brawn well done. And the rest of the team - superb job. Under Honda's direct involvement the flair was totally stifled and Jenson did as well as could with a dreadful car. Freed, at last, and with much pain to many who lost their jobs, Brawn has fostered the focus and drive necessary to develop a winning car which Button and Barri drove the wheels off. Shuey would never have won a Minardi - but Brawn gave him a winning car at Benneton and Ferrari. Any whingers out there - button it. [!!] That's formula 1. And this season was one of the best for years.
- Marcus, St Albans, UK, 19/10/2009 22:49
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Now we have 2 UK champions it would be nice to see Button race Hamilton in identical machines.
- Edwin Underhill, beaconsfield buckinghamshire, 19/10/2009 20:51
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How refreshing to get a decent competant Englishman win something so important to our country. Just look at our footballers.
- Michael, London, UK, 19/10/2009 19:49
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"What of the team that put him in the best car on the track? Through numerous post race interviews yesterday Jeson didn't managed a single direct word of thanks to the team!!" Duncan, London
Well you didn't watch what I watched because I heard Jenson thank the team and everyone and anyone behind the scenes, family included!
- Wa, Oxfordshire, 19/10/2009 16:13
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Whatever comes after he will always be a winner of the formula one championship and his name will appear alongside the greatest and Im sure he appreciates that.
Remember that Schumacher won because he had an unbeatable car - provided by Ross Brawn? Brawn is the one we should be hailing as one of the greatest ever. He will be forgotten in time as only drivers are remembered. Give him the knighthood.
- Terry, Hennebont France, 19/10/2009 16:12
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How unusual. Negative comments on the This is London forum.
What a country of whingers the UK is becoming.
- Rob, London, 19/10/2009 14:43
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Ok Duncan from London Lets knock a British world champion down,just hours after winning the title.
Having seen Jenson from karting in the eighties,F.ford in the nineties and F1 to the present day,his smooth driving style has made him a champion.
- Joe, TETBURY, 19/10/2009 13:48
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This was his first decent drive in months. Recently he has looked more like a Sunday afternoon driver than a champion! Ross Brawn does not need to give him a massive pay rise as he is neither a Senna or a Schumacher - they had the ability to get more out of a car than any other driver. Williams showed in the 90's it is more the car than the driver! And £5 million per annum is more than enough!
- Michael De Ferrari, London, 19/10/2009 13:17
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Boo for Button!
Whilst I agree Button is a skilled driver his attitude stinks!
In every interview he exudes the persona of the proverbial spoiled brat. Ungracious and self infatuated, he only pauses to think of another way to congratulate himself.
What of the team that put him in the best car on the track? Through numerous post race interviews yesterday Jeson didn't managed a single direct word of thanks to the team!!
And when things went wrong mid season? Obviously the team has struggled to get the car right.
Throughout his protracted rise in formula one Button has blamed everyone and everything but himself for his lack of success. When he finally wins he thinks his own doing? If he was this great before the only thing that could have changed is having a good team behind him!?
Next year, when Button drives against competitive teams from the start of the season, we'll see what he's made of - most likely a return the previous 8 years of mediocrity and blaming the car, team, weather ...
- Duncan, London, 19/10/2009 12:02
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