Button, Branson in angry run-in

The health of Brawn's new sponsorship by the Virgin brand came under threat even before the first race of the 2009 season, according to a report in the British tabloid press.

The News of the World newspaper claims Jenson Button, on the night of his Melbourne pole, almost came to blows with the British billionaire Sir Richard Branson.

Button was reportedly furious when he believed the married 58-year-old Branson made advances on his new girlfriend Jessica Michibata, a Japanese-Argentinean bra model.

"Brawn GP team chiefs and Virgin execs watched in stunned silence as the pair flew at each other during a boozy dinner - just one day after their sponsorship deal was clinched," the report said.

A source said: "The whole thing got very, very heated.  Richard thought Jenson was over-reacting, and gave as good back.  Both of them were livid."