The case of British driver Jenson Button, "ousted" from his team after winning the world championship, isn't unique, unfortunately.
The world was stupefied to learn on Wednesday, that Button would be leaving Brawn GP and joining McLaren in 2010, becoming teammates with Lewis Hamilton - the equivalent of swimming with the sharks.
Other than the parties concerned, no one knows the precise terms of the contracts proposed by Brawn GP and McLaren. We can however assume that Brawn, acquired by Mercedes, wasn't prepared to offer Button the pay raise commanded by his world title. Especially considering that Button had accepted a serious pay decrease to help Brawn race this season. Button closed the case by saying that he "needed a fresh challenge".
But this is not an isolated incident.
NIKI LAUDA, FERRARI, 1977
In 1977, one year after his terrible accident at the Nürburgring, Niki Lauda won his second world championship behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Around the end of the season, while the title was still up for grabs, Lauda received an offer from Bernie Ecclestone, owner of the Brabham team. Lauda subsequently refused the terms of the contract set forth by Enzo Ferrari. Two races before the end of the season, but with the title in his pocket, a furious Lauda slammed the door of the Scuderia. The team now had a free spot, which was offered to none other than Gilles Villeneuve… In 1978, Lauda drove a Brabham-Alfa Romeo.
NIGEL MANSELL, WILLIAMS, 1992
The 1992 season bore the stamp of Nigel Mansell. Completely dominating the series, he won the world championship at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th event of 16 that season. But sparks were already flying between Mansell and Sir Frank Williams. Something to do with salaries and the arrival of Alain Prost at Williams in '93. In addition, Mansell received an offer to race in the CART series in the U.S. from the best team on the roster, Newman-Haas. Unable to reach an agreement with Williams, Mansell left F1 and immigrated to North America where he clinched the CART title in 1993.
The world was stupefied to learn on Wednesday, that Button would be leaving Brawn GP and joining McLaren in 2010, becoming teammates with Lewis Hamilton - the equivalent of swimming with the sharks.
Other than the parties concerned, no one knows the precise terms of the contracts proposed by Brawn GP and McLaren. We can however assume that Brawn, acquired by Mercedes, wasn't prepared to offer Button the pay raise commanded by his world title. Especially considering that Button had accepted a serious pay decrease to help Brawn race this season. Button closed the case by saying that he "needed a fresh challenge".
But this is not an isolated incident.
NIKI LAUDA, FERRARI, 1977
 |
In 1977, one year after his terrible accident at the Nürburgring, Niki Lauda won his second world championship behind the wheel of a Ferrari. Around the end of the season, while the title was still up for grabs, Lauda received an offer from Bernie Ecclestone, owner of the Brabham team. Lauda subsequently refused the terms of the contract set forth by Enzo Ferrari. Two races before the end of the season, but with the title in his pocket, a furious Lauda slammed the door of the Scuderia. The team now had a free spot, which was offered to none other than Gilles Villeneuve… In 1978, Lauda drove a Brabham-Alfa Romeo.
NIGEL MANSELL, WILLIAMS, 1992
 |
The 1992 season bore the stamp of Nigel Mansell. Completely dominating the series, he won the world championship at the Hungarian Grand Prix, the 11th event of 16 that season. But sparks were already flying between Mansell and Sir Frank Williams. Something to do with salaries and the arrival of Alain Prost at Williams in '93. In addition, Mansell received an offer to race in the CART series in the U.S. from the best team on the roster, Newman-Haas. Unable to reach an agreement with Williams, Mansell left F1 and immigrated to North America where he clinched the CART title in 1993.