While Ross Brawn and fellow Brawn GP team members were heralded in a home town victory parade yesterday, there was one man noticeably absent, the man that helped the Brackley based squad make it to number one status in their first year of competition, 2009 drivers champion, Jenson Button, fuelling rumours that the Brit will not be in the team next season.

Contract talks have stalled between Button and the team with strong rumours linking him to the empty seat alongside fellow Brit and 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, however Ross Brawn, who was rugged up in a thick warm overcoat after riding on an open topped bus through town, once again reiterated his firm belief that the new world champion would be with the team to defend their crowns in 2010.

"I can give you 99 percent on Jenson Button," he said, before going on to thank those present for all their loyal support and faith through the team’s extremely dark days earlier this year. "It's fair to say that I've had some very special days in my career in motor racing and this is in the top of the list, it's fantastic.”

“I think it's just an amazing contrast we've been through this year, an amazing contrast the local community have been through. From the depths of despair over the winter to winning the world championship, I can't think of two greater contrasts. Such a low to such an incredible high, it seems to be a championship that's captured the public's imagination because of the circumstances behind it. It's been a wonderful journey."