Button: Hamilton should stay at McLaren

29/07/2012

Mat Coch writes:

McLaren driver Jenson Button believes teammate Lewis Hamilton should remain with the team beyond the end of his current deal.

Out of contract at the end of the season, Hamilton's future has been the subject of continued speculation, linking the Englishman to Red Bull (before it resigned Mark Webber), Mercedes, Lotus and Ferrari.

Hamilton has repeatedly claimed he's not in a hurry to sort out his future, though discussions are believed to be taking place over the coming weeks with the smart money on him remaining with McLaren.

"This place is like home to Lewis," said Button on Saturday, "he's been here since the start of his career and it's a massive change to go somewhere else.

"I've done it a couple of times," the former Williams, Renault, Honda and Brawn driver continued. "Sometimes it's good for you, to make that change. It's up to Lewis but from my point of view I don't think that would be the right thing to do."

It's believed when negotiations do commence Hamilton will be offered a lesser salary, in line with the downturn in the global economy and the financial pressures the sport currently finds itself under. Meanwhile it's understood the Englishman, who 'celebrated' his 100th Grand Prix last week, is seeking greater freedom with his public image, to allow him the ability to sign other endorsements which could boost his salary considerably.