McLaren counting on Button to win 2013 title
Oct.6 (GMM) Jenson Button thinks McLaren will have to look to him to win next year's world championship.
With Lewis Hamilton leaving for Mercedes, Button - to contest his fourth season at McLaren next year - will be paired with the young Mexican Sergio Perez.
Before Hamilton decided to leave McLaren, Button said he hoped the 2008 world champion stays in 2013.
I'm not underestimating him (Perez).
Now facing the prospect of sharing a garage with 22-year-old current Sauber driver Perez, he said at Suzuka: "Having just one experienced person in the team does change things but (that's) is something I love.
"I'm not underestimating him (Perez)," Button insisted. "He is inexperienced compared with Lewis and it will be his first year, but he will still be quick.
"There should be more consistency in his speed the following year but I will definitely be the person McLaren turn to if they want a world champion next year."
Button admits he is "very surprised" Hamilton chose Mercedes over McLaren for his future.
"We all have different challenges and things we want to achieve. He wants to try something new."
F1 chief executive Bernie Ecclestone told the Express newspaper: "Lewis wanted out of McLaren because he felt unhappy there.
"He spoke to me and I told him he should go where he felt he would feel good if he could make a deal that suited him."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
When Paul Di Resta beat Sebastian Vettel to the F3 title
Paul Di Resta cautious about the WEC's future: "What's good never lasts forever"
Why Peugeot swapped Jean-Eric Vergne for Stoffel Vandoorne in WEC 2026
Lewis Hamilton: ‘I towed Charles the whole time’ and ended up 0.5s slower
Why "dangerous" Hamilton-Lawson incident in Azerbaijan GP practice hasn't led to change
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
"A big mistake" - Devastated Franco Colapinto apologises to Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris for Baku F1 crash
Lando Norris: FIA should hand out race ban for Franco Colapinto's Baku F1 crash
Five quick takeaways from Azerbaijan GP
F1 Azerbaijan GP: George Russell holds off late Max Verstappen charge for victory
How George Russell claimed his career-best pole margin in F1 Azerbaijan GP qualifying
How the chase to catch Mercedes is unfolding
What we learned from Thursday practice at the 2026 F1 Azerbaijan GP
A look at McLaren and Audi's Baku F1 updates
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.
Top Comments