Battle of Britons: Hamilton vs Button

Mar.8 (YF1) One of the first question’s Jenson Button asked when he arrived at Woking as a newly signed Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver was: “Is this Lewis Hamilton’s team?” Well that question still begs to be answered and one gets the impression that 2010 will answer it once and for all.

McLaren had the Prost vs Senna which required driver management of the highest order and some would say they succeeded for a while before Prost threw in the towel. Hamilton vs Alonso was a different story and the whole thing imploded in what will probably go down as one of the darkest episodes in motorsport history.

Now the team have to contend with the battle of the Britons and see if they can keep the McLaren kingdom united.

Love him or loathe him Hamilton is an out and out racer. Those who love him are aware of this spirit akin to an Ayrton Senna or Gilles Villenueve. He has been part and parcel of the Woking establishment since that famous day that he is alleged to have tugged on Ron Dennis’ trousers and said “I wanna race for you one day Mr Dennis.”

He has one the title for McLaren in 2008, his only indiscretions being the matter of lie-gate from which he has emerged relatively unscathed. He made his point on the final day of testing in Barcelona by topping the timing sheets. Despite McLaren’s denials you can bet that Lewis “knows” that McLaren is his team and how he deals with incoming Button will be interesting to follow.

“I think we have a very promising car beneath us: it’s a real change of direction for us, and I think the possibilities with this car are very exciting. Now, though, it’s all about the racing – once I put my crash helmet on and pull the visor down, I know more than anything that I’m ready to go racing.” Now that is a war cry from Hamilton on the lines of the New Zealand haka employed as a war dance prior to their rugby games.

Hamilton is a known factor, the unknown element is how Button adapts to a top class team and rises to the challenges of being team mate to one of the best drivers of this new generation. Button might not be able to match his yellow helmeted team mate on brute pace and aggression, but then these very attributes cost Hamilton a certain title in his rookie season.

Button on the other hand has strength in race craft and is probably a safer bet to keep out of trouble and soldier on no matter what. There should be no do or die scenarios from the reigning champ and his minders would probably be urging him not to raise to the bait and do what he does best: finish races.

The champ of course knows how to make the right noises: “I’ve never known a team work as hard as we have done over the winter. I’ve spent more time with my engineers this winter than I have before any other season, and I feel very comfortable about my preparations.”

Prediction: From the minute pitlane opens in Bahrain Hamilton will come out swinging. He will be anxious to assert himself not only within his team but also with the likes of Alonso and Schumacher. Along the way he may trip up and Button will be there to pick up the pieces. There will be no middle ground: they will work well together or Button will get off the bus.

• Vettel vs Webber
• Schumacher vs Rosberg
• Alonso vs Massa