Button asks for more

It's difficult to sympathize with a racing driver when he says he's not paid enough. Surely most of us would work for free if we got to drive fast, expensive cars all day and then go and party with models. But, as leader of this year's world championship, perhaps Jenson Button deserves better.

Last winter it looked unlikely the Brawn team would make it through the 2009 season. Jenson had a contract with Honda - the team's previous owners - which entitled him to an estimated 8.5 million Euros a year. He agreed to cut it back to 3 million to help pay the team's other staff.

Now, with the team's future secure, Button has asked boss Ross Brawn for his original salary package in 2010, in recognition of his results and loyalty this year.

"When we signed the revised contract last year, we did so in the knowledge that if things went well for the team, they would go well for Jenson for next year," said Richard Goddard, Button's manager.

Goddard describes himself as 'shocked' by the offer on the table from Brawn for Button for 2010, which is believed to extend a minimal rise on his present cut-priced contract.

Button, 29, not only accepted hugely reduced terms for this season but he also undertook to meet all his own expenses. In addition, he pays for his fitness trainer and Goddard to accompany him to races.

Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton is reported to have earned over four times as much as Button so far this year, despite winning two races to Button's six.

Usually, drivers receive bonuses for race wins and points scored but Button has not received a penny from Brawn.

DRIVER SALARIES

Kimi Raikkonen is the highest paid driver, on an estimated 30 million Euro annual salary

For mid-field drivers, salaries tend to average at approximately five million Euros plus bonuses.

Nigel Mansell became the first British driver to earn over one million pounds a year.

When Niki Lauda signed a one million dollar deal with McLaren in 1982 he told them: "My PR value alone is worth that much. You'll be paying one dollar for my driving ability, all the rest is for my personality."