Hamilton's key edge

In Malaysia on Sunday Lewis Hamilton confirmed his speed advantage over teammate Jenson Button. This was no surprise. Button won six of the first seven races last year because his Brawn car was superior. Key was the 'double diffuser' aerodynamic trickery which other top teams had not employed (because they considered it against, at least, the spirit of the rules). Team-mate Rubens Barrichello was compromised in the early races by aerodynamic tuning necessary to cool the different brake system he preferred.

Once these advantages were erased, Button rarely saw the front of the field and was out-qualified by Barrichello for the last seven races. The then 29-year old limped to the title which should have meant Mercedes, having purchased Brawn, would start 2010 with the champion's No 1 on their car.

Unfortunately, Brawn's senior management underestimated Button's desire to receive a salary commensurate with his new status. Already committed to Williams for 2010, Barrichello told Jenson he had been approached by McLaren to drive alongside Hamilton. Jenson quickly visited McLaren's HQ and received a contract rumored to be worth 24 million pounds ($36.4 million) over three years. Brawn upped the ante but it was too late (though allowed Button conveniently to claim the McLaren move was not for money.)