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[Hexagram]

Alonso is getting 25 million a year with Ferrari, not sure about Hamilton. Kimi wants 25 million and Button only wants 8 million? Come on Brawn, push for more sponsors and you will be able to afford Button no problem.

[ivey]

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Kimi might be hungry and motivated but you just can't read him. Atm it seems that he's not very keen on winning another title but who knows? There are many drivers out there who really want to win, one of them is Rosberg, but I don't like a team with two youngsters in it. I keep on saying that I'd like to see Heidfeld in McLaren seat

[McLaren Fan]

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Kimi might be hungry and motivated but you just can't read him. Atm it seems that he's not very keen on winning another title but who knows? There are many drivers out there who really want to win, one of them is Rosberg, but I don't like a team with two youngsters in it. I keep on saying that I'd like to see Heidfeld in McLaren seat

Hamilton has gathered a lot of experience recently, so I would no longer be worried about putting another younger driver beside him. Like you, I'm not so sure what to think about Raikkonen. He is talented, but sometimes lacks commitment. If Raikkonen is demanding a top-line salary (much more than Hamilton is on), then he has to be prepared to do exactly what McLaren expect of him (i.e., no slacking testing and commercial events).

[myownalias]

Alonso is getting 25 million a year with Ferrari, not sure about Hamilton. Kimi wants 25 million and Button only wants 8 million? Come on Brawn, push for more sponsors and you will be able to afford Button no problem.

Personally I believe that Ferrari has been the cause of ridiculous driver salary demands, paying whatever it takes to get the best drivers; it all started with Schumacher era. Is Alonso really worth $25m a year? that's almost $1.5m per race! Jenson's $8m is very reasonable for a world champion driver, less $500k per race.

I definitely don't think Kimi Raikkonen is worth $25m a year, especially if he doesn't want to test or appear at commercial sponsors events!

[Denthúl]

I definitely don't think Kimi Raikkonen is worth $25m a year, especially if he doesn't want to test or appear at commercial sponsors events!

The discussion has been had before, but, I don't believe any sportsperson is worth more per year than someone who saves lives.

McLaren have plenty of options to choose from for 2010 and I don't think it would be a bad choice for them to sign Jenson, although it wouldn't be the best when there are some better drivers (in my opinion) out there. Raikkonen, Rosberg, Glock, Heidfeld and Paffett would all be drivers to keep an eye on. Personally, I think Paffett deserves his chance, he has impressed me in testing and I think he is good enough for a Formula One drive.

[Gaz]

Lewis Hamilton says he would welcome newly-crowned Formula One World Champion Jenson Button to McLaren should rumours of the Brit's signing prove to be true.

With Button failing to agree terms with his current Brawn GP team, rumours have linked the Brit to a move to McLaren, who are looking for a replacement for the underperforming Heikki Kovalainen.

And although McLaren's recently denied Button's pending signing, Hamilton says should it happen he would welcome his compatriot with open arms.

"I don't mind who comes to the team as long as they come in peace and bring peace and want to be productive and move the team forward," Hamilto told the Daily Mail.

"I'd welcome Jenson as my team-mate. He's a level-headed and very committed guy.

"He earned the World Championship and he's done a great job over the years. I couldn't be happier for him.

"He will be a tough competitor next year - whether at Brawn or McLaren."

But no matter who his team-mate is next season, Hamilton is eagerly anticipating a year spent racing at the front of the pack - and more importantly, racing for his second World title.

"I'm looking forward to next year's new McLaren," he said. "I don't think the team have had a driver who is pushing them as I am. I'm meticulous with everything. It's all about getting the new car to be the best, the lightest and fastest.

"I have always said I have no desire to be known as a one-time Champion. The love for winning never stops.

"Of course, Jenson is going to be a tough competitor again next year, but all I hope is that I have a chance to actually race with him from the start of the year, not from the halfway point, as happened this season. It would be awesome, insane."

I find it funny he's said the above, but then has said this about Kimi:

"I try not to constantly think about things that might or might not happen," he said, when asked specifically about the rumours linking McLaren with Kimi Raikkonen.

"I really don't know who is going to come and I try not to focus on it. I want to be respectful to Heikki, who is my friend. I think he does a good job and I can only say that I am happy to be with him," added Hamilton.

Its prob part of the same interview like to read the full thing.

[7UpJordan]

I find it funny he's said the above, but then has said this about Kimi:

Sounds like another blunder in the McLaren PR dept.

[Gaz]

I find it funny he's said the above, but then has said this about Kimi:

Sounds like another blunder in the McLaren PR dept.

Well he perhaps feels that Button isn't nearly as good so he'll be easily able to beat him, and he is perhaps abit worried about Kimi.

However it could also be that he doesn't like the idea of Kimi coming to Mclaren and being paid 10mil more than him.

[ivey]

Is there a deadline where all the drivers must have their team?

[Flying Finn]

So the British (media) really dream with their eyes open!?!?!?!?!.
F1 being a sponsor driven sport even McLaren cant afford to employ two drivers of the same nationality(Hamilton may live in SL but still...).
If McLaren has any hopes of doing this them Mercedes will b a problem that it has to deal with!.So i don't think so.

Besides Button isn't worth dealing with these problems-the juice just isn't worth the squeeze!.Ferrari may do such a thing for Alonso (oops they already did!) because he is worth it ( guy makes a mediocre car look good!!!).Any one else in the current F1 grid just isn't worth such great trouble.

Hamilton must be pretty pissed at the prospect of Kimi coming there and getting $10 mil more than him-yes.I think he would have used all his influence in the team to stall the move.

[vaptin]

From the bbc

Brawn GP team owner Ross Brawn says he is "99%" certain world champion Jenson Button will stay with his Formula 1 outfit next season.

Brawn also said that his team has set a target of two weeks after the final grand prix of the season - in Abu Dhabi on 1 November - to reach a deal with Button.

[scotty]

Is there a deadline where all the drivers must have their team?

Nope, although it does reach a point where most drivers have contracts for the season...

I find it funny he's said the above, but then has said this about Kimi:

Sounds like another blunder in the McLaren PR dept.

Well he perhaps feels that Button isn't nearly as good so he'll be easily able to beat him, and he is perhaps abit worried about Kimi.

However it could also be that he doesn't like the idea of Kimi coming to Mclaren and being paid 10mil more than him.

I thought Hamilton was on £/$120m over 5 years (signed after the 2007 season)?? That's still about 24m a season...

[h-tomek]

I thought Hamilton was on £/$120m over 5 years (signed after the 2007 season)?? That's still about 24m a season...

Yeah, but you have to be aware that the difference between pounds and dollars is huge. I mean, one pound is almost two dollars so it's very important if signed deal is in dollars or in pounds.

[Frosty]

I'm not sure which currency the contract was signed in but at the time it was reported to be at least £75 million for 5 years and I expect he may of got a bonus for winning the championship!

[scotty]

I thought Hamilton was on £/$120m over 5 years (signed after the 2007 season)?? That's still about 24m a season...

Yeah, but you have to be aware that the difference between pounds and dollars is huge. I mean, one pound is almost two dollars so it's very important if signed deal is in dollars or in pounds.

I know, i am assuming that it is dollars because that seems to be the standard currency in F1... was just wondering if anyone could shed more light on it.