Mercedes team boss Ross brawn has admitted that he was disappointed when the man who took the Brawn team to victory in 2009, Jenson Button, left the Brackley based squad at the end of the season and joined McLaren to partner Lewis Hamilton.

"I was disappointed Jenson left. He felt people were of the opinion he only won the world championship because he had the best car. So he left us to show them he could do it again elsewhere,” he said in the Sun. "We are still friends.”

“We were on the same flight back from Malaysia and we had a good chat. But on the racetrack it is different. There are no friends on the racetrack. Jenson was a fabulous member of our team last year but now he is the history and we have to beat him.”

Brawn also praised his former driver, who is currently in the lead of the drivers’ championship after taking wins in both Australian and China...

"He also wanted to prove himself at McLaren against the guy who is probably the fastest and most naturally talented in motor racing, Lewis Hamilton. He's set himself a massive challenge and he is doing very well so far."