Less than a month after his world title success seemed set to cement his long-term future with Brawn GP, it appears Jenson Button is edging closer to an amazing switch to McLaren.
The term ‘dream team’ could certainly be applied to any line-up that contained British world champions Button and Lewis Hamilton, with McLaren’s sponsors likely to be licking their lips at the prospect of having two of F1’s most marketable stars together in the same team.
However, would a McLaren move be the best thing for Jenson’s career? That's the question we asked you before the sensational transfer was indeed confirmed and this is what you said...
I expect McLaren to be faster than Brawn next year and remember, Jenson has far more experience than Lewis. LH may well be quicker than JB, however, JB is a much smoother driver and I think, on that basis, that the two may be well matched at McLaren. If you see how much JB is worth, I wouldn't say this about the money. He just wants the best chance to defend is title in 2010.
Nick
Surrey
Loyalty is a two-way thing and Brawn needed Jens this year as much as he needed them. It's looking like the loyalty towards Jens is not being returned, so I'd say he has to look else where. I'm disappointed Brawn sold out to Mercedes and suspect it will turn into the faceless corporate team that McLaren has become.
Mark Cooper
Essex
I would love to see Jenson at McLaren with an equal status to Lewis, but it isn't going to happen. Lewis is and has always been, a McLaren puppet. Jenson should take advice from Alonso. And we all know what he'd say! Ross Brawn should have rewarded Jenson for all his years of loyalty to Honda/Brawn. For the sake of a few quid the team's in danger of losing it's best asset. Unfortunately it appears that Jenson is not German enough to appeal to the Mercedes team. Let's hope he manages to put his towel down on a decent car for next year.
Liz
Leicester
Both teams are likely to win races next season. JB's style and tyre-preservation skills may be the order of the day with no refuelling next season. Clearly both doors are open to him and he's as unsure as the rest of us because it's a 50:50 without knowing which will give him the slightly better car over the course of the season. Stick with Ross Jens?
Adam
York
Whatever JB wants to do, Mercedes will be the force calling the shots. Mercedes GP will prefer an all German driver line up and will probably get Seb Vettel sooner or later.
Whatever can be said about continuity for JB and Brawn, Mercedes are the paymaster.
This has probably given JB a 'no-choice' situation
BJB
UK
Jenson should go to McLaren, everybody is underestimating him. He IS the world champion after all. Mercedes don't want him because he is not German, they should offer him what he's worth after all that he has done for the team over the years.
Ash Shuttlewood
Kent
I think for the good of Formula 1, I think Jenson should be at Mercedes Benz GP. I think no other driver in Formula 1 can beat Lewis in the same car. It will be a bad move for Jenson to go to McLaren to take on the undisputed fastest man in Formula 1.
Ryan Eckford
Newcastle, Australia
Certainly you jest. Button going to McLaren is win/win. Who this team is built around makes little difference, really. Button is a champion. He walks in no-ones shadow. A winning driver's input is coveted no matter which team he represents. And now with two? Jenson's move to McLaren instantly makes them THE TEAM to beat. All the moreso if J and H gel and truly become team-mates. I can't wait to see how this plays out.
Kurt
Canada
He should go to McLaren. There is more money in that contract and the one would expect them to have a more consistent car for the future. Brawn could very well just be one hit wonder in '09. If he beats Hamilton in McLaren great, if he doesn't at least he has a great car and more money.
Kenneth
Melbourne
Lets call a spade a spade. He won with an unfair advantage for the first 1/3 of the season and Ross knows he isn't worth more than a 1/3 of what LH or Alonso are worth. There are several better drivers on lower salaries so JB should be grateful for what he was offered and pray Rosberg doesn't embarrass him too much in the same car. That aside, I do like the guy so wish him well... really.
Philip
Ireland
A very difficult decision for sure - what do you go for, money or car? I believe he should stick with Brawn and prove himself beyond any doubt. With Mercedes at the helm it will be an awesome team and an awesome car. I have no doubts that if he goes to McLaren he will regret it. So Jens, stick with Brawn Mercedes.
Andy Martakies
Australia
JB has no sense of loyalty when it comes right down to it. He was outpaced by Rubens in the second half of 2009 and would not have had a ride but for Ross and Nick. Too bad he cannot live on 4million pounds a year. McLaren have a history of grasping defeat from the jaws of victory so he could well be jumping ship when MBGP gets stronger and MVM misses the mark again. He should stay put
Alex Currie
Chemainus , BC, Canada
Personally, i think Jenson should stay Loyal to the team he became champion with, because lets face it, if it wasn't for Brawn he wouldn't even be driving now, never mind world champion. However on the other hand i would like to see him and Hamilton at McLaren for the sake of seeing them go head to head with both each other and with a likely all-German line up at Mercedes GP. But as I am a Ferrari fan I hope the Scuderia will beat everyone! Massa for 2010 champion! =)
Sam Joseph
Swansea, Wales
Jenson won the drivers' championship for Brawn, having taken a substantial paycut. Meanwhile Brawn and Fry have made millions out of selling the team to Mercedes due to Jenson and Rubens winning both championships, Jenson is asking for very little financially. In terms of joining McLaren, as long as Jenson is a strong competitor to Lewis, it will be no disrespect if he doesnt come out on top as Lewis is the Senna/Schumacher of this generation. Whereas at Mercedes they are likely to ensure that Rosberg gets the better of Jenson, which would be more harmful to Button's career.
Stuart Crossen
Wolverhampton
Jenson needs to stay at Brawn. He stuck with Honda through the rubbish car years, it's foolish to throw that loyalty away now when they have a championship winning car and are in a good position to have a good crack at the title again next year, just for a few extra £s. He is the clear number one at Brawn, whereas at McLaren he will be in Lewis's shadow, both on the track and in the team. Yes, it would be nice to see him battle it out with Lewis in the same car, but he is just not as good as Lewis and won't be able to consistently beat him. It could be a career-ending move.
Emma
UK
Look at what happened to the other "number two" drivers who teamed with Hamilton, they're gone after 1-2 years. One of them was Fernando Alonso and he's no second-rate driver. Not a good career move for JB but at least he'll get paid very well.
D-ROC
USA
I think this is a bad move for Jens; he will be overshadowed by LH in the first year at least. Hamilton is a much better driver than Jens; remember Silverstone 2008. So if you put these two in the same car, I will put my money on LH every time. Financially Jens might be better off initially, but in the long run staying in the familiar and safe environment of Brawn/Mercedes GP for another year at least. Jens will proof his worth and then he can start talk money. Because he was lucky in 2009 with his head start.
Ahlapski
Manchester
Jenson should stop being so greedy and grab the McLaren ride if it is offered, otherwise he might miss out altogether. He and Lewis Hamilton could make a formidable pairing.
Margaret Walker
Hampshire
He has to stick with Merc GP, he's been caught out before playing the contract game, no point in playing second fiddle to Lewis. He needs to be a No.1 driver in a team and that is with Merc GP. Ross is the best person in F1 to make things happen, he did it this year and I'm sure he'll do it again.
Phill
Pulborough
Jenson should go to McLaren. For sure it will be a hard year for him against Lewis, but he'll be in a better position to fight for titles than at any other team that has an open seat now. At McLaren JB will have the chance and opportunity to fight for wins...2009 proved that they never quit fighting.
Chris Leonard
Winnipeg, Canada
If Jens wants to be a firm number two, then Mclaren is the place. I think he is playing a dangerous game here and he is likely to lose.
John MacMicking
Bolton, Canada
Given the protracted and stingy salary negotiations, it's obvious Brawn/Mercedes does not want Button in the team in 2010, so Jenson should sign with McLaren. Okay, so he may become the de facto number two at the Woking team, but he will be in a great position for 2010. He will have a front-running car, a contract that says "we want you" and perhaps more importantly, the chance to prove his mettle against Hamilton, as a team-mate, and fellow world champion.
Martin Gregory
Boston, USA
Although a move to McLaren is probably the best move financially for JB, I am worried not only by LH dominance in the team but also by the fact that they have very very different driving styles, when designing new parts for the car, can they take this into account I wonder...!?
Mike Smith
Leicester
Jens has been snookered. I don't think Mercedes will pay his salary demands, not with Rosberg and Heidfeld waiting in the wings. Button will go to McLaren which is a bad move for him because it is simply Hamilton's team and no more.
Aldo Robertson
Glasgow
Since there is no great vote of confidence from either Brawn or Mercedes then he should go to McLaren where I'm sure he's wanted.
Nic
Kent
Jens needs to keep the momentum going. Brawn started well, but fell away, McLaren were catching if not surpassing the Brawn by the end of the season: This should carry forward into next year.
2009 is likely to be a 'blip' - the winning ways will return to McLaren and Ferrari very soon.
LH and Jens could be a great pairing: Their polemic driving styles could allow each to learn from the other.
Adey Bennett
Manchester
Well what Button does all depends on if he is a man of his word or just another money hungry has been. If he is a man of his word then he will stay where he is as loyalty is meant to mean a lot to him, if money is all he worries about then he will be the next driver to be unhappy playing second fiddle to Hamilton and he can kiss his chances of defending his championship goodbye
Ben
Shepparton, Australia
For Jenson to retire knowing how good he really is, he needs to compete against the best in the same machinery. If he were to partner Hamilton, at McLaren he would find out. Season 2009 doesn't give us a clear answer to how good Jenson is because of the impact the regulation changes had. I think Jenson should go for it, then we'll all know.
Alison Cameron-Lynch
Edinburgh
He should forget about the money and stick with the better car. If McLaren keep KERS, he'll have to learn to use it, if they dump KERS, they'll be re-tuning the car to do without it. I hope this isn't a return to all the messing around from earlier in his career.
Mike Ellison
Ottawa, Canada
Purely in terms of the likely competitiveness of the machinery, the odds are stacked with McLaren as the most consistent performer of the last decade. However, it would be a brave move to take on Lewis so directly and being firmly within the McLaren bosom Lewis will undoubtedly have an advantage. But to be a true world champ you've got to be prepared to take on all comers - respect to you Jenson if you're up for it!
Tom Woodward
Bath
I'm frankly a bit fed up with what Button is going to do or not going to do. I am more concerned with who will be a good teammate for Lewis. Certainly not Button - I can foresee the British press giving Lewis a hard time if he beats Button citing unequal treatment, and other silly excuses. I would prefer Heidfeld at McLaren, and Button should stay at Brawn/Merc GP.
A Wyatt
London
This could be a great move, the car does seem to be more competitive and has had more development than the Mercedes GP car. However, McLaren have a habit of favouring one driver and it would be right to assume this would be Hamilton as he has a long background and relationship with the team. Also, with vastly contrasting styles, it will be impossible to set the cars up perfectly for both drivers and again one would assume they would take Hamilton's setup as the base configuration which could hurt Button. Could be a risk but it seems Mercedes no longer want him enough to meet his wage demands, which it has to be said are remarkably lower than most other F1 drivers.
Richard Warmingham
Bournemouth, Dorset
I have no doubt Jenson can hold his own in the same car if he can get it set up to his driving style. I think the big problem is can Lewis drive around with No2 on his car when his team-mate is driving around with No1 on his.
As for Brawn/Merc, they must be daft to not want Jenson and the No1 on their car. I think Jenson has been dumped on after slashing his wages to save the team last year. Merc's loss.
Craig Haworth
Rochdale
Brawn GP rescued Jenson from being sidelined and turned him into a world champion. It is therefore not unreasonable to expect Jenson to sign for another year on terms that favour the team. Equally you can see Jenson's point of view now he is the world champion. Jenson's market value is only what teams/sponsors are prepared to pay. I think that is the root of the problem here. He may be world champion but I don't think he is the team's ideal first choice. His stock value will be determined by how well he drives next year compared to his team-mate. Therefore a move to McLaren, on paper, looks a bit of a risk.
JamesH
Reading
It's a tough call - Brawn/Mercedes are not in a position to offer the salary that Jenson wants or deserves. McLaren will but he will be a 'silent' number 2 to Lewis even though he is the current world champion. If he gets a good deal at McLaren then it could be good for the rest of his Formula 1 career.
Lets face it, after 30 you're practically a fossil in this sport now...
Alex Townsend
London
Why would he want to move to a team that he is going to be number two? Just for a couple more million? Mercedes GP is going to be dedicated to him as current WC. McLaren has poor history of having supposedly two number one drivers (Prost/Senna, Hamilton/Alonso). No team can honestly say they don't play favourites. Stay at Brawn, be a number one, drive a Silver Arrow!
Rohan
Toronto
Not sure if its a good idea for JensOn to move to McLaren just yet, as the team are very Lewis focused. But on the other hand what a line up for 2010. Good luck wherever you go Jenson, it's been a long time coming.
Becky Jackson
Cambridge
Jenson Button should stay at Brawn/Mercedes GP. He will struggle at McLaren. His driving style is geared towards a touch of understeer to accomodate his beautiful smooth driving style, while McLaren develop an oversteer orientated car for Hamilton's aggressive, tyre wear-heavy approach to cornering. And next year, that type of car may be more than a handful for Jenson with refuelling banned and tyre management more essential. Mercedes GP will be his team if he stays. He could possibly retain the world title there, but he wouldn't stand a chance at Team Hamilton.
Brian Lelas
Dublin, Ireland
According to the Times, Brawn/Mercedes have offered him the £8m he has demanded, but he is holding out for more. He should accept what is a very generous offer if that report is true and try and sign a long-term deal with Mercedes. Hamilton would destroy him at McLaren. I can understand why he wants the big bucks as world champion, but he's already very wealthy and should try and put himself in the best car long-term. I'd then like to see Kimi accept a realistic deal and go back to McLaren. No offence to Heidfeld, but he has no star quality: Kimi can produce stunning drives (when he's in the mood)! Heidfeld would be a solid driver to lead whatever becomes of BMW/Sauber.
Mike MacMillan
Exeter
Go to McLaren! Merc will have a good yet organisational year. McLaren or Ferrari are the best chance he will have to beat the Red Bulls who will be supreme next season. I cannot believe Merc will not pay a few mill to have the number 1 on their car in their comeback year. British team, British drivers, both champions, how cool is that?
Robert Leon Felix
St Lucia
This will be a true test for JB since LH is firmly planted in McLaren as the main man and paid twice as much as the new WC. If Button could hold his own and out drive Hamilton the better but for the moment it seems like a hard work.
EricMeister
Manila