Jenson Button left us to prove himself, says Ross Brawn
Button wants to test himself himself Hamilton at McLaren
Jenson Button chose to join McLaren to prove it was talent and not the car alone which earned him the world title, according to former boss Ross Brawn.
The 29-year-old Englishman will test himself against 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton after leaving Brawn, for whom he won the drivers' title in 2009.
"He wanted to prove it was him as well as the car that won the championship," Brawn told BBC Radio 5 live.
"Jenson wants to prove he can do it with another team and another car."
Button joined McLaren in November after seven years with Brawn, which has been taken over by Mercedes, and its previous incarnations BAR and Honda.
Many F1 aficionados questioned his decision to attempt to defend his world crown alongside the man he took it from.
Button explained he was motivated by "the challenge of going up against Lewis in his environment".
And Brawn, who has unveiled seven-time champion Michael Schumacher as Button's replacement, believes it this unique challenge that made up the reigning world champion's mind.
"I don't think Jenson left because of money; the proposals we made to Jenson were very good," added Brawn.
"There was a feeling that he somehow lucked into this championship and that was very unfair.
"Now, he's going to face Lewis Hamilton and that's a fascinating match-up.
"Formula 1 is a complex matter because the ratio between the car and the driver can vary.
"A top-level driver needs the equivalent. There is a huge war to try and improve the cars and I think Jenson wants to prove he can do it elsewhere."
Brawn also insisted that he had not spoken to Schumacher about reviving their relationship, which had helped guide the German to seven world titles with Benetton and Ferrari, until he was sure negotiations with Button had reached their conclusion.
"We were in deep discussion with Jenson and I wanted to bottom those out before we entered into discussions with Michael," he added.
"We didn't want to see Jenson leave but I could understand his reasons. I was still disappointed, but we are really delighted with how things have gone."
English team-mates Button and Hamilton and the returning Schumacher will likely go head-to-head for the first time at the opening pre-season test in Valencia on 1 February.
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