Button, Hamilton make fearsome twosome in F1

LONDON – Formula One champion Jenson Button signed for McLaren on Wednesday to partner Lewis Hamilton, giving the English team a potent lineup for next season featuring the two most recent title holders.

McLaren said Button joined on a “multiyear deal” after leaving constructors champion Brawn GP in the wake of its takeover by Mercedes-Benz earlier this week.

The 29-year-old Button, who is replacing Heikki Kovalainen, was out of contract with Brawn GP after capturing his first F1 drivers’ title last month and talks about a new deal had stalled.

Button had taken a significant pay cut to ensure he had a car for 2009 with Honda pulling out from the sport and reforming under Ross Brawn’s ownership.

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said Button’s departure was “in no way motivated by money,” insisting that they were paying him “no more than he could be getting elsewhere.” (AP)