Button “agrees deal with McLaren”; Glock joins Manor

LONDON/HAMBURG - Formula One world champion Jenson Button has agreed terms to join McLaren in a “dream team” with the 2008 title-holder Lewis Hamilton, it was reported Tuesday.

The Guardian newspaper said it “understands that the world champion has turned his back on Brawn following protracted negotiations” and will almost double his salary at McLaren.

The report said the Button has agreed a 6-million-pound ($10 million) deal and could sign a three-year contract in all-British line-up within the next few days.

Button, 29, was given a guided tour of of McLaren’s factory last Friday, the report added.

Button’s decision, if confirmed, comes after news that German carmaker Mercedes-Benz is to buy a majority stake in the Brawn GP team, heralding the return of a Mercedes works team to Formula One for the first time in 55 years.

It is thought there could possibly be an all German line-up in the Mercedes team with Nico Rosberg partnering Nick Heidfeld.

Meanwhile Germany’s Timo Glock has signed for the new Manor team which makes its Formula One debut next year, the team said.

Glock, 27, has agreed a two-year contract with Manor with an option for a further year after racing for Toyota for the last two seasons.

Glock, who was a free agent after the Japanese team pulled out of F1 at the end of the season, will be the lead driver for the British-based team.