Button set for new Brawn deal

Jenson Button is poised to commit his long-term future to Brawn GP following his sensational start to the new Formula One season.

Five wins from six grands prix will have seen Button’s stock soar, and now the team are determined to pin him down to a new contract.

After Honda’s demise, Button was forced to tear up the £8million-a-year contract he had with the Japanese manufacturer.

It led to Button signing a one-year deal with Brawn, resurrected from Honda’s ashes, though he was forced to take a £5m (€5.7m) cut.

The 29-year-old has since rewarded them handsomely by winning in Australia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Barcelona, and on Sunday in Monaco to lead the drivers’ standings by 16 points.

Brawn GP CEO Nick Fry feels such scintillating form will be enough to convince Button to stay, and ensure he is not tempted elsewhere.

“Jenson’s been with us a long time, and we’ve had failures and we’ve had successes,” confirmed Fry.

“My objective, and our objective, is to have him for the rest of his career, and nothing’s changed on that front.

“It’s mutual that he would like to stay with the team, and after five race wins, we should be able to get something together.”

Asked as to whether Button’s value will rise further if he becomes world champion, Fry said: “I’m sure he and his manager are sitting there thinking his price is going up the whole time.

“But maybe the sponsorship for the team is going up too, so maybe we can afford it.”

With his win in Monaco, Button joined an all-star cast of drivers to have won five of the first six races after Alberto Ascari, Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell and Michael Schumacher.

It was a feat Schumacher achieved three times, and on each occasion team boss Ross Brawn was the brains behind such an accomplishment.

Although reluctant to compare the two, Brawn’s appreciation for Button’s attributes behind the wheel is growing immeasurably, underlining the need to retain his services.

“There was a point in the race where Jenson was coming up to a group that were racing each other,” reflected Brawn.

“We were talking on the pit wall and saying maybe he should ease the pace back a bit, and not get mixed up in it.

“Almost simultaneously he came on the radio and said ’Look guys, I don’t want to get involved in what’s going on ahead. I’m going to ease back a bit’.

“So he’s gaining in that mental capacity to do things, as well as drive the car.

“For Jenson, you have to remember Rubens is also a tremendous reference. Rubens had his occasions when he beat Michael, and Michael was a pretty strong reference.

“So the fact Jenson has won these races with Rubens in the team sets the standard.

“It’s early days, but I’m obviously delighted with both drivers’ performance. But Jenson is doing exceptionally well.”