Being Lewis Hamilton's McLaren teammate is a lot of pressure, says Jenson Button
Being Lewis Hamilton's McLaren teammate is a lot of pressure, says Jenson ButtonJenson Button has revealed having Lewis Hamilton as teammate is not "a stress-free situation".
Button, though, has enjoyed being kept on his toes by his fellow Briton over the past 18 months since joining McLaren.
Lewis HamiltonIt is fair to say Hamilton has had the upper-hand, out-qualifying Button by a ratio of 19-9 in their 28 grands prix together. In a race situation, the count is 18-10 in Hamilton's favour, with the 26-year-old enjoying four victories compared to Button's three, and jumping on the podium 12 times in contrast to the latter's 10.
This season, however, nothing can separate them as they are tied on 109 points, finding themselves in the same boat as they struggle to close the 95-point gap to championship leader Sebastian Vettel.
Jenson ButtonAlthough the year has hardly gone swimmingly for either man, Button can have no complaints with life alongside his fellow Briton. "I'd say in qualifying Lewis has been stronger since I've been in the team, not always, but through the season he has been stronger," said Button.
"As for the racing, I think we've had some good races, even if I've started behind him. I've been fighting with Lewis for the last year and a half. "We both have a good feeling within the team, we give a lot of feedback, we take the car in the right direction, so it's good having a teammate like Lewis because it does push you.
"If you have a slightly bad day at the office, he'll destroy you, and if you have a slightly good day and he has a slightly bad day then you can beat him.
"So it's a good position to be in, and it keeps you on your toes, definitely. "It's not a stress-free situation, though, because we are both fighting and we are both competitive, but that's not a bad thing."
McLaren trio to stayMcLaren have confirmed they have no intention of breaking up their trio of figureheads in Hamilton, Button and team principal Martin Whitmarsh. The futures of world champion duo Hamilton and Button have been the source of considerable speculation of late due to their contract situations. Managing director Jonathan Neale said: "We want Martin, Lewis and Jenson here for the long term."
