Ross Brawn criticises Button for leaving his F1 team

London, Apr 27 (ANI): Formula One champion Jenson Button has been criticised for walking out on Brawn GP, the outfit that helped him to the F1 world title last year.

Team boss Ross Brawn, who brought in Button after taking over the former Honda team in March 2009, blasted him for leaving the team.

"I was disappointed Jenson left. He felt people were of the opinion he only won the world championship because he had the best car. So he left us to show them he could do it again elsewhere," Brawn said.

"We are still friends. We were on the same flight back from Malaysia and we had a good chat. But on the racetrack it is different. There are no friends on the racetrack," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

"Jenson was a fabulous member of our team last year but now he is the history and we have to beat him. He also wanted to prove himself at McLaren against the guy who is probably the fastest and most naturally talented in motor racing - Lewis Hamilton. He's set himself a massive challenge and he is doing very well so far."

The Mercedes GP chief was speaking at the launch of The Brawn Lifeboat Challenge.

The object is to raise 350,000 pounds for the RNLI to buy a new lifeboat for the River Thames.

Brawn is confident that Michael Schumacher will start winning races, while also helping his teammate Nico Rosberg's career. (ANI)