Jenson Button paid own costs to go racing

While Jenson Button took a well publicised pay cut for 2009 he also flew to races on the same airlines to some of the races, or drove with friends to others, alongside a number of other drivers, notably Red Bull's Mark Webber. However, unusually for man in his position, Jenson Button was paying his own way to the races.

"I paid for pretty much all my travel this season," Button told reporters at a Virgin Media event at the Bluewater centre in Kent. "I was flying on budget airlines and paid for pretty much all my own but it wasn't a big deal. We all give up certain things when times get tough. And, to be fair, when you get a chance to drive the car I'm driving you'd give up pretty much anything."

RealBrawnGP.com understand team mate Rubens Barrichello was on a different deal with Brawn, taking no salary but topping up with a points bonus (capped at 25 points) and expenses being paid. It's doubtful that Rubens' frequent flight to Orlando and Brazil in his private jet were considered 'expenses'.

However, that private jet was put to good use on Monday when the Brazilian loaned it Jenson, enabling the Englishman to remain in Sao Paulo for a night and celebrate with his team, before heading to England the next day. "I'm not that materialistic," said Button, "but it was nice of Rubens to let me use his plane. It was quite surreal but it was so I could spend some time with the team."

Button should be able to return the favour fairly soon, as he's due to take delivery of two HondaJet's in 2012, ordered in August of last year to set up an airline charter business.