Mercedes Buys 75 Percent of Brawn, Jenson Button to McLaren for 2010?

Mercedes have bought a 75.1 percent share in Brawn GP and sold their 40 percent holdings in McLaren, Brawn's Web site announced on Monday . The current Brawn shareholders retain a 24.9 percent stake in the team.

The move means that Brawn will be branded as Mercedes Grand Prix for 2010, whilst the company will still supply engines to McLaren and Force India.

Nico Rosberg is expected to be confirmed as a Mercedes driver soon, but there is now much wider discussion on whom world champion Jenson Button will be driving for, with many believing that McLaren is the more favourable option.

With two places available between the teams (Rosberg seems a certainty), the drivers linked with the lucrative seats currently include Kimi Raikkonen, Jenson Button, Nick Heidfeld and Timo Glock. There is also the outside possibility that Heikki Kovalainen will remain at McLaren.

Button's current issue with Brawn/Mercedes is his salary, as discussions seem to have stagnated. However, some believe that McLaren is the more likely to be competitive in 2010, which could also be a factor in Button's decision.

Kimi Raikkonen will only be in Formula One if he can secure a drive that gives him a car capable of winning. But in return for his services, he wants an awful lot of money, which has put McLaren off signing him straight away.

Timo Glock and Nick Heidfeld's nationality could help them in securing a Mercedes drive, although Heidfeld has also been linked to McLaren. Both have seen their former employers leave the sport and are currently without a drive for 2010.

UPDATE: Timo Glock has now signed for Manor GP.