Button to McLaren or Brawn

(GMM) Jenson Button's manager has played down suggestions the new world champion has lost respect for Brawn and is set to switch to McLaren.

The two parties are in stalled negotiations about the British driver's fee for 2010, and Button last Friday visited McLaren's Woking headquarters.

But his manager Richard Goddard insists: "Jenson has the utmost respect for boss Ross Brawn and the team.

"Talks have certainly not broken down," he is quoted as saying by the News of the World. "He has been incredibly loyal to the team for many years which is why the decision is so hard.

"Hopefully, things will be sorted out in the next couple of weeks, so we can all take a break."

On the other hand, Goddard insists Button, 29, is not daunted by the prospect of joining McLaren, despite the perception that he will be sharing a garage with the team favorite Lewis Hamilton.

"Jenson would have no problems being Lewis' teammate. He would relish the challenge as long as he could make sure the development of the car suited him," he said.