Mercedes GP Team Principal Ross Brawn believes that reigning World Champion Jenson Button suspected inter-team hesitations over his abilities before departing the Brackley-based squad for McLaren ahead of the new season.
With some believing that Button's switch from Brawn to McLaren was solely a fiscal decision, the World Champion has reiterated that the challenge of a new team was the most appealing factor. However, Brawn admits that he believes the Frome man sensed that some members of his former team felt that technical advantages - as opposed to driver ability - won the 2009 title.
"I was disappointed Jenson left," Brawn admitted whilst talking to reporters on the bank of the river Thames, having launched The Brawn Lifeboat Challenge, which is hoped to raise £350,000 in order for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to purchase a new boat for London's waterway.
"He felt people were of the opinion that he only won the World Championship because he had the best car, so he left us to show them he could do it again elsewhere. We are still friends and we were on the same flight back from Malaysia and had a good chat; but on the race track it's different - there are no friends on the race track.
"Jenson was a fabulous member of our team last year but now he is the history and we have to beat him. He also wanted to prove himself at McLaren, against the guy who is probably the fastest and most naturally talented in motor racing at the moment - Lewis Hamilton. Jenson's set himself a massive challenge and he's doing very well so far."
Also on Tuesday: Schumacher will not panic, says Brawn
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