Hamilton would welcome Button as teammate

Lewis Hamilton

(GMM) Lewis Hamilton insists he wouldn't mind sharing a garage in 2010 with F1's new world champion Jenson Button.

Although the dispute is nearing a resolution now, McLaren was named as a possible alternative team for the 29-year-old Briton as he rowed with his current employer Brawn about a higher fee for next season.

Countryman Hamilton, who wore the number 1 on his Mercedes powered car throughout this season, is said to have been unenthusiastic about some of the other drivers linked with McLaren for 2010: namely Nico Rosberg and Kimi Raikkonen.

But 24-year-old Hamilton said: "I'd welcome Jenson as my teammate.

"He'll be a tough competitor next year — whether at Brawn or Mercedes," the 2008 world champion told the Daily Mail newspaper.

Hamilton also steered away from suggestions he does not want his next teammate to be too fast.

"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," he insisted.