Brawn GP are under growing pressure to accept Jenson Button’s demands for a higher salary to stay at the team next year after Bernie Ecclestone added his weight to the row by accusing the team of arrogance.
Button insists he wants to stay at the Brackley based team in 2010 after winning the world championship in last week’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
But according to reports, Button’s management and the Brawn team are at loggerheads in the negotiations to renew the Briton’s contract, with Button demanding a return to his £8 million salary – he agreed to take a cut to £3 million to drive for the team this year after Honda pulled out of the sport at the beginning of the year.
“They are being a little bit arrogant considering how long they have been in Formula One,” F1 Supremo Bernie Ecclestone told the Mirror.”They should remember they have only been in the sport 10 minutes really.”
Button’s manager Richard Goddard insists that the row could have been resolved several weeks ago.
“Brawn could have sorted Jenson out weeks ago and none of this would be going on,” Goddard told BBC Sport.
“We’ve been trying to agree terms with them. He’s made it clear he wants to stay.
“Had they agreed a contract there would be no speculation, which won’t die until Brawn offer him new terms.”
In a warning shot to Brawn, Goddard added: “A lot of quality seats may still be available, so it’s down to Brawn to make us an offer.”
