Button: I am building McLaren around me
10 October, 2012
Jenson Button set to be the top gun at McLaren
Oct.10 (GMM) Jenson Button has admitted that he is working to build a team around him at McLaren, in the aftermath of Lewis Hamilton’s decision to defect to Mercedes.
Even as reigning champion, when the Briton arrived at McLaren in 2010, paddock figures likened the move to entering Hamilton’s lion’s den.
Less than three seasons in, Hamilton’s long McLaren relationship is set to terminate, with Button now insisting that he – and not Hamilton’s successor Sergio Perez – is the driver to bet on for 2013 spoils.
Speaking to the Brazilian sports daily Lance!, Button said: “There are a lot of smart people in Formula One, which maybe is not so apparent from the outside.
“But it is a very competitive environment, and Fernando [Alonso] is one of those people.
“He’s been smart to build the [Ferrari] team around him, which is something we all strive for. I did it in my previous team (Honda/Brawn) and it’s happening here [at McLaren] too,” said the 32-year-old.
Asked if he has taken another important step forwards with the impending departure of McLaren protege Hamilton, Button answered: “No comment.”
But he did admit: “It’s one less person in front of me. This year, I’ve had good race pace, but on Saturdays I’ve been usually second place at best.
“Next year I can be first. Race pace is my strength and I think that there’s nobody better in that way. Qualifying is harder for me.
“If I have a car that works for me, I can put it on pole, but if the car is a bit more difficult then I end up behind Lewis.”
Meanwhile, whilst envying Alonso’s position at Ferrari, Button – who has in the past been linked with a possible move to the great Italian team – said it would be hard to arrive at Maranello to be the Spaniard’s teammate.
“The impression I have is that you would get there and be very well received, but then Fernando would come in and start talking in Italian to the engineers,” said the Briton.
Subbed by AJN.
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That’s what you call a snake Jensen button. Taking away hammy’s support from the team. What a betrayal. Crazy Brit politics.
He is building McLaren around himself. For What? He is no Lewis/Alonso. When Lewis chose a slower car(Mercedes) than the winning one(McLaren), one can understand the politics being played by this wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Go for it Jenson! You will still be a second rate driver in a first rate car coming in second or less to the Alonso, Hamilton, and Vettel of the world. You will be the MP 4-12c to the Farrari 458.
@ Jenson Button, whoa there tuff guy lol
Finally the other shoe drops. McLaren could not afford to loose Hamilton. This idea of JB building the team around him has been on-going since he joined and was readily apparent at Spa. The problem is JB is a very good driver but not a great driver. LH and Alonso, VTL the only are great drivers currently (w/ Alonso being the best right now) and I am a LH fan through and through. They can produce winning results without the best car. JB not so much..Anyhow, next year the proof will be in the pudding.
He’ll get back on the ground with both feet verry soon when he gets his ass whipped by Sergio.
Kimi should learn from Button?? Kimi is performing far better than JB and most of the drivers that has been driving for 2 years while his out of F1.
Kimis is not even fully focused on this season. im even surprised about the patience his showing to Lotus. normally, you give Kimi a crappy car and he’ll treat everybody in the team like crap too.
this is something that kimi will nvr bother of doing….LOL
thats why romain received new updates earlier than kimi at some point.
Imo, kimi should learn button and start forcing the team to focus on him
Is it just me, the word “DOOM” came to my mind as soon as saw the headline?