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Adapted from GMM
Jenson Button on Thursday said Ross Brawn is "for sure" not joining McLaren in 2014.
Amid reports Brawn has decided to step down at Mercedes, there has been speculation linking Button's former Honda boss with McLaren.
So with McLaren linking up with the returning Honda for 2015, Button at Suzuka handballed the question to his boss Martin Whitmarsh.
However, 2009 'Brawn GP' champion Button did say: "One thing is for sure -- Ross Brawn will not join the team next season," he told F1's official website.
That leaves the door neatly open for 2015. Button, 33, said he could also be Honda-powered again the season after next.
"There's a chance, yes," Button told reporters on Thursday. "There's definitely a chance. I think it's very special for Japan to have a manufacturer in the sport, but obviously that's not for another year and a half. We've got a long time before that and hopefully a very good year next year with Mercedes-Benz."
On his end, Toto Wolff has described as "surprising" reports team boss Ross Brawn has decided to leave Mercedes.
Wolff, who is Mercedes' motor sport director, insisted in German-language Spox: "We are all involved. Ross Brawn has some ideas for his future, as we as a team want to develop together with him. We are in constant discussions. But there was no news in recent days -- not even internally. So it is somewhat surprising that something is coming out now."
Toto Wolff denied the suggestion that the real story is that Brawn is pushing to exit because his successor Paddy Lowe is already looming.
Mercedes, on the other hand, is insisting Brawn respect his contract.
"No, not at all. There is no question of observing contracts or that Ross Brawn wants to change. There is a common discourse, all in the best interests of the team and the people involved," Wolff added.
Nonetheless, the rumours continue. Spain's sports newspaper AS said Brawn moving to Honda could be Fernando Alonso's trigger to finally accept McLaren's recent flirtations.
New Honda motor racing chief Yasuhisa Arai told British broadcaster Sky this week the Japanese carmaker wants "good drivers, (a) good team and good organisation" ready for its 2015 return.
"Those things have to be ready, have to be right, in order to have a good start," he added.
Jenson Button on Thursday said Ross Brawn is "for sure" not joining McLaren in 2014.
Amid reports Brawn has decided to step down at Mercedes, there has been speculation linking Button's former Honda boss with McLaren.
So with McLaren linking up with the returning Honda for 2015, Button at Suzuka handballed the question to his boss Martin Whitmarsh.
However, 2009 'Brawn GP' champion Button did say: "One thing is for sure -- Ross Brawn will not join the team next season," he told F1's official website.
 |
| Jenson Button, Brawn GP, 2009. (Photo: WRi2) |
That leaves the door neatly open for 2015. Button, 33, said he could also be Honda-powered again the season after next.
"There's a chance, yes," Button told reporters on Thursday. "There's definitely a chance. I think it's very special for Japan to have a manufacturer in the sport, but obviously that's not for another year and a half. We've got a long time before that and hopefully a very good year next year with Mercedes-Benz."
On his end, Toto Wolff has described as "surprising" reports team boss Ross Brawn has decided to leave Mercedes.
Wolff, who is Mercedes' motor sport director, insisted in German-language Spox: "We are all involved. Ross Brawn has some ideas for his future, as we as a team want to develop together with him. We are in constant discussions. But there was no news in recent days -- not even internally. So it is somewhat surprising that something is coming out now."
 |
| Ross Brawn and Toto Wolff, Mercedes AMG. (Photo: WRi2) |
Toto Wolff denied the suggestion that the real story is that Brawn is pushing to exit because his successor Paddy Lowe is already looming.
Mercedes, on the other hand, is insisting Brawn respect his contract.
"No, not at all. There is no question of observing contracts or that Ross Brawn wants to change. There is a common discourse, all in the best interests of the team and the people involved," Wolff added.
Nonetheless, the rumours continue. Spain's sports newspaper AS said Brawn moving to Honda could be Fernando Alonso's trigger to finally accept McLaren's recent flirtations.
New Honda motor racing chief Yasuhisa Arai told British broadcaster Sky this week the Japanese carmaker wants "good drivers, (a) good team and good organisation" ready for its 2015 return.
"Those things have to be ready, have to be right, in order to have a good start," he added.