Analysis
Formula 1
Button working to build McLaren team around him
GMM
Edited: Oct 10, 2012, 1:22 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Oct.10 (GMM) Jenson Button has admitted he is working to build a team around him at McLaren.
Jenson Button, McLaren on the drivers parade
Photo by: xpb.cc
Even as reigning champion, when the Briton arrived at McLaren in 2010, paddock figures likened the move to entering Lewis 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 (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 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 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.
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Stewart renews offer to coach struggling Grosjean
Next article Massa 'can be even faster' than Alonso - Vettel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Ferrari
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Ferrari promotes F2 racer to F1 reserve driver role
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
Latest news
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
General
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Japanese GP
2 h
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
2 h
Kyle Busch remembered: Rowdy’s most notable Phoenix moments
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe