British reports say contract makes Button ‘super rich’

Jenson Button

(GMM) Jenson Button's new contract could see him stay at McLaren for five more seasons, according to British newspaper reports.

And the 'multi year' deal, whose precise terms were not revealed by the Woking based team on Wednesday, could see the 31-year-old earn as much as US $131 million in total.

The Daily Star said the $15m per year deal for Button represents an annual pay-rise of $6m, guaranteed "for the next two years at least".

The Daily Mail, however, said Button earned $12 million in 2011, with the new deal adding $3 million per season for as many as "the next four seasons".

But the Daily Telegraph thinks that while the 2009 world champion might have negotiated less PR and sponsor commitments, he is "unlikely to have improved on his salary … especially given the current economic climate".

The Daily Express however said Button "has been rewarded for his loyalty" with a contract worth nearly $62 million.

The Mirror claims the new deal has "accelerated (Button) into the ranks of sport's super-rich" with a contract that could earn him a phenomenal $131m in total.

The Sun estimated the maximum value at $93 million, calling the five year contract a "deal for life" but still almost $5m a year shy of his teammate Lewis Hamilton's pay.