Jenson Button may be able to rest easy now he has the Formula One world title in his pocket, but his future remains far from settled.

In his own words, Button insists he can be "a little more relaxed" as he heads into the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, safe in the knowledge he is world champion.

But the issue of his contract continues to hang over him because at this moment he does not have a drive for 2010 given the impasse he faces with Brawn GP over a new deal.

There have been expected noises from both sides, with Button making it clear he wants to stay, and team boss Ross Brawn claiming he is "99 percent" certain the 29-year-old will remain.

Brawn has stated his desire for the situation to be resolved by the middle of next month, however, it would appear some hard bargaining is required as finances are tight, despite their champion status.

Although Brawn is prepared to offer a pay rise above the £3million-per-year Button currently earns, it falls short of the £8million he is apparently seeking, the salary he previously enjoyed with Honda.

McLaren and Toyota are waiting in the wings to see how the matter develops, with the former understood to have already spoken with Button, or at the least, his manager Richard Goddard.

It leaves Button in a strange sense of limbo - a world champion, but without a team for next year.

At least Button can claim to be unencumbered by the pressure and burden of expectation that had dogged him in the weeks prior to his moment of glory in Brazil 10 days ago.

"It's a fantastic feeling to be going into the final race having achieved my ambition of winning the title and with the team having wrapped up the constructors' championship," said Button.

"We now want to finish the season in style with a great result, but we can be a little more relaxed in our approach to the weekend."

As for Brawn, who was unusually emotional in the wake of his team's triumph at Interlagos, he is clearly still coming to terms with the enormity of his achievement after rescuing the team from Honda's demise nearly 11 months ago.

"Brazil was a fantastic weekend," assessed Brawn.

"To have won the constructors' and the drivers' championships with Brawn GP is a very special achievement, and I am incredibly proud of the whole team.

"We've all had a few busy days since returning to the UK and it was great for both Jenson and I to get back to the factory and thank everyone in person for their contribution to our successes."

Aside from Button's contract issues, there remains one piece of unfinished business on the track for Brawn, and that is to see Rubens Barrichello clinch second place in the standings.

With the Brazilian now trailing Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel by two points, Brawn added: "We have been looking ahead to this final race and ensuring all our preparations are in place.

"It remains an important weekend for the team as we look to secure second position in the drivers' Championship with Rubens."

AFP