F1: Button Reveals Money Was Not A Factor In McLaren Switch

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Nov 20, 2009
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WORLD CHAMPION JENSON Button has revealed he would have earned more money by remaining with Brawn GP instead of signing with McLaren.

The 29-year-old inked a three-year deal worth £6 ($AU11) million per annum to race for McLaren from next season after rejecting a contract offer from Brawn GP.

While the reason for Button’s decision to walk away from Brawn GP was initially believed to have been prompted by a disagreement over wages, he told the BBC the contract offered by the constructor’s champions was more lucrative.

 

“No. I'm earning less than I would have at Brawn,” he said to Autosport. “I didn't move for money and everyone knows it. It's something new for me. I'll have to work very hard in the new situation I've put myself in, and I intend to do it.

“Of course it's not going to be easy, but I'm very excited about the challenge. I've got to work very hard to achieve what I want to achieve.”

 

Button’s explanation was supported by Brawn GP Chief Executive Officer Nick Fry, who admitted his team had offered the Briton superior financial terms.

 

“I don't think that it was a financial issue. We understand that our offer to Jenson may well have been in excess of what he might be getting with McLaren. I don't think that it was a financial issue whatsoever,” he said.

 

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But while Button didn’t leave Brawn GP for money, Fry remains upset at the nature of his exit, suggesting the seven-time Grand Prix winner will struggle against Lewis Hamilton.

 

“Clearly, loyalty would be nice but in this day and age you don't expect too much of that,” he said.

“I'm always happy when any employee leaves our company if I think that they've made the right decision and they are going to a better job and they always go with our blessing if that is the situation.

“In this situation, we don't understand the logic of the decision and I think Jenson is going to have to up his game if he's going to beat Lewis on home territory.”

 

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