Jenson Button is still at stalemate with his boss Ross Brawn, who has hinted the Englishman might have to leave the team as world champion.

Button had a chance to wrap up the title at Suzuka today, but instead is locked in stalling negotiations to increase his retainer for 2010 from a cut-price US $5m.

He agreed to slash his contracted pay for 2009 in order to aid the management buyout, and has also been paying his own way in terms of hotel and travel expenses.

But Button's manager Richard Goddard told the Daily Star Sunday that he is "shocked" Brawn is refusing to offer anything more than a slight pay rise.

"We aren't being greedy," he said. "When we signed the deal last year, we did so in the knowledge that if all went well for the team, things would also go well for Jenson."

Team owner and boss Brawn hinted that the impasse could lead to Button leaving the team after November's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"Those decisions have not yet been made but if we have a world champion who, for whatever reason, leaves the team, that's a shame," said the Briton.

Brawn's reluctance to offer Button much more money could be related to the paddock perception that - according to former racer Martin Brundle - the British driver is now "reversing" his way to the title after a strong start to the season.

Meanwhile, an opinion article in The Times reads: "After his barnstorming start to the season, (Button) decided that winning like a champion is not for him, resolving to win the title by stealth."

And a piece in The Independent said Button "will be a worthy world champion but his feeble showing in the latter part of the season proves he is well short of legendary status".

Source: GMM
© CAPSIS International

 

The curious case of Jenson Button, indeed.

 

While that's a bummer for him as he made some moves for the team in the beginning of the season but his win streak was a fluke and the result of a diffuser. Brawn must know that and therefor if he wants a good showing next season Button is out.

 

If the rules change to three drivers per team next year, how about a Hamilton/Raikkonen/Button team @ McLaren??? That would be impressive.

I love Ferrari (first as an underdog w/Berger and Alesi, then as champs w/Schumi), but I hate Alonso and I'm not a big Massa fan. It's hard to root for a team with drivers you don't favor.

I just hope Button pulls it out and finished the title.

 

I'm pretty sure he's going to win the title....button doesnt look all that great anymore being that all the other teams are using the difuser as well

 

Well said it was truly only the diffuser that set button apart not anymore but he has to be an idiot to lose the WDC ..... and Chris whether you like Alonso or not his driving and professionalism is impressive he is arguably the complete driver..... I know he's a potato head drama queen AND HE'S A MADRIDSTA but still he's a better choice than Kimi

 

Per statistics. Alonso is the best driver on the grid.

 

Button...idk what to say about that guy. If he in his mind truly believes hes done something to merit a pay increase then his ego must have ate alonso's as a snack and used ecclestone's as a toothpick!

 

Button is nothing really, he had engineering on his side for awhile, and now he's just average. looks like I'm back rooting for Mclaren.