http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsp ... 363892.stm

Kimi is taking a year out.

Was just reading about this on the itv/F1 web page, was a bit surprised tbh especially as Mercedes have brought Brawn F1 and will be reducing their hold on Mclaren over the next few years.

Sounds like a money related change to me which with the future of brawn now set should not have entered the equation unless Brawn and Mercedes think there are better drivers out there than Button

Rumour is that Mercedes wanted an all-German driver line-up when they took over Brawn (Nico Rosberg is confirmed, possibly Nick Heidfield as other driver) so Button was pushed out - nothing to do with Button's asking price - which Mercedes should surely have no problems finding. I don't really see Rosberg-Heidfield as a Championship-winning pairing though, but Ross Brawn is still leading the team so who knows, he certainly seems to get the best out of people doesn't he?

Although Brawn had a great start to this season, they weren't as strong towards the end, whereas McLaren's season was exactly the opposite! Plus McLaren have had a year to take stock (knowing that this year's title was out of the question) and concentrate on next year's car being stronger than last year. I think Button's made the right move to be honest. Whether he'll get the upper hand over Hamilton is debatable - somehow doubt it, at least for 2010.

Does anyone know how many years Button has signed with McLaren for. Is it just a single season, or longer?

According to itv-f1.com it is "multi-year" but there is no further detail.