Mercedes buy Brawn; Button set for McLaren
- Source: Global Times
- [08:13 November 18 2009]
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Brawn-Mercedes driver Jenson Button peels out from the pit during a practice run during F1's Japanese GP at the Suzuka Circuit on October 2. Photo: AFP
Mercedes Tuesday bought out Formula One world champions Brawn GP in a move which is likely to see Jenson Button join McLaren next season.
The German car giant, which has taken a 75 percent stake in Ross Brawn's team, will be rebranded Mercedes GP, announced Dieter Zetsche, chairman of parent company Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz.
Team principal Ross Brawn, who took over the British-based outfit after former owners Honda quit the sport at the end of 2008, will remain in his role.
Brawn masterminded the team's spectacular rise from the dark days of Honda's pullout to both the constructors and drivers' world titles.
However, the future of his drivers is uncertain.
The new outfit is expected to plump for Nico Rosberg as their No. 1 driver – a move that would be popular in Germany – with his countryman Nick Heidfeld his likely partner.
Neither driver has been confirmed although Mercedes Sports boss Norbert Haug revealed Monday he was attempting to secure Heidfeld, who has driven for BMW since 2006.
Newly crowned drivers champion Button, who visited McLaren's headquarters Friday, is widely tipped to sign for the British team to drive in an all- English partnership with 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton next year.
Since clinching the title in Brazil last month Button has been in protracted contract negotiations with Brawn, the 29-year-old reportedly turning down a four million pound ($6.7 million) offer.
That represents a 1 million rise ($1.7 million) on his 2009 salary after he took a five million pound ($8.4 million) pay cut when Ross Brawn took over from Honda.
