LONDON, ENGLAND - Jenson Button is in danger of being driven out of Brawn GP.

Despite having won the Formula One title last month, the Briton has been unable to negotiate a substantial pay rise, and believes that he is being pushed towards a deal with McLaren- Mercedes to drive alongside Lewis Hamilton, reported The Times of London.

Even though that would form a "Dream Team" of successive world champions, Button has been hurt by the failure of Brawn to come up with a deal he believes would confirm his new-found status.

Sources close to the negotiations said that decisions have to be made within days but they have been destabilised by reports that Mercedes could announce this week that it would take a substantial shareholding in the Brawn operation.

And that could trouble Button, one of the most easy-going men in the paddock.

German-born Nico Rosberg has been signed from Williams for next season, and it is widely believed that Mercedes want him instead of Button as the figurehead of a German-led operation at Brawn.

Button, 29, took a £5 million (S$11.6 million) pay cut to £3 million earlier this year, and expected recognition of his loyalty after winning the F1 title.

Brawn offered him only £4 million a year - half of the original deal he signed with Honda.

As Button hesitated, McLaren acted quickly on prompting by title sponsor Vodafone, which sees the combination of charismatic world champions in Hamilton and Button as marketing gold dust.

Button was shown around McLaren's headquarters in Woking last Friday, meeting senior staff and engineers. McLaren are thought to be ready to bankroll an £8-million salary.

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