Formula One news

Brawn to increase Button pay cheque

The Brawn GP team has said that it is soon to be increasing the salary of championship-leading driver Jenson Button. The Englishman, 29, took a significant cut in order to sustain his Formula One career after the departure of Honda although the Brackley-based team admits it is now in a position to up its drivers' payments.

With the Japanese manufacturer having pulled out of Formula One in early December, both Button and team-mate Rubens Barrichello were fully prepared to race even for free in a bid to lengthen their careers although, with immense success so far in 2009 and new sponsor deals highly likely, the team has admitted that it is prepared to increase the salaries of its drivers in order to repel interest from rival teams.

Brawn CEO Nick Fry celebrates Button's Monaco Grand Prix victory

"He (Button) took voluntary a major reduction but he does have a contract for several years to come (ending in 2011) and we will discuss at some stage later this year what we do to make sure he is rewarded fairly," team CEO Nick Fry told Autosport, as well as admitting that the matter is currently not being discussed.

"These contracts are quite complicated but it is not something that is vexing us at the moment. He has done a great job and later in the year he will win more races and have a discussion." It is believed that Button signed an annual deal with Honda in the region of £8m shortly before the demise of the marque, ironically meaning that the Frome-born racer is earning considerably less in his most successful season to date.

"There is no issue whatsoever with funding through this year," Fry assured. "Even if we didn't get another penny in sponsorship, we are able to do what we need to do. We are using our money wisely and that means spending money on the performance of the car and, for example, the whole team - including Ross (Brawn, team owner) and I flying EasyJet."

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