Jenson Button is today facing the biggest decision of his career following the takeover of Brawn GP by Mercedes. Does he stay with the team that made him world champion and possibly play second fiddle to German Nico Rosberg?

Or does he join McLaren, who will pay him the £8million a year Brawn have been reluctant to offer him but where he will be up against a driver in Lewis Hamilton who is steeped in the team's history and ethics?

Button, 29, is well aware that by making the swap from Brawn to McLaren he would be leaving an environment in which he was very comfortable to one where Hamilton rules the roost.

Historically, McLaren have proved capable of running two top drivers with a pledge to give both equal attention and equipment.

But Hamilton, now 24 and backed by the team from a young age, has become part of the fabric at Woking and his influence runs deep.

Could Button, who visited the McLaren HQ last week, cope in that environment?

His manager Richard Goddard believes so, saying: “Jenson would have no problem being Lewis's team-mate. He would relish the challenge as long as he could make sure the development of the car suited him.

“Jenson was certainly very impressed with the facilities at Woking. It is an incredible place. But at the end of the day he doesn't care if the car is built in a shed so long as it can win.”

Therein lies another conundrum for Button. Hamilton's driving style, late on the brakes and very aggressive — much like Ayrton Senna — is the opposite to Button's, which is supremely smooth in the fashion of Formula One great Alain Prost.

If the car that McLaren are already well-advanced in building for next season has been designed to accommodate Hamilton, it is quite likely Button would struggle to match the pace, certainly in the crucial battle for grid positions, of his British rival.

At least there is no doubt about the future of the team which will continue to be known as Vodafone McLaren Mercedes. It's distinctive silver-with-red livery will remain unchanged, and Mercedes-Benz will continue as a long-term engine supplier. The future of Brawn GP is also assured, with Brawn and his chief executive Nick Fry set to benefit hugely from Mercedes' money.

Which, makes their attitude to Button all the more surprising, unless there is a sudden change of heart.

By losing him to McLaren, Mercedes will also lose the prestige of having No1, afforded the defending world champion, on the nose of their car.

And while Rosberg may be an exciting prospect, he can hardly offer the same vital experience as Button. His record of just two podiums and no wins from 70 Grands Prix bears no comparison to that of Button.