McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is adamant that Lewis Hamilton underestimated teammate Jenson Button, despite the 2008 champion suggesting otherwise.
Hamilton has suffered one of his worst seasons in the sport, a season which has been error and penalty strewn. The 26-year-old believes it’s down to not having a ‘happy bubble’ around him, whilst Whitmarsh doesn’t disgree, he believes Button’s success may have also been a factor.
When asked if Hamilton underestimated Button, Whitmarsh replied: “He probably did, yes. Let’s be open about it. Lewis, throughout his career, has destroyed every team mate that’s come his way,” he told the official F1 website. “Bear in mind that in many ways he virtually destroyed Fernando Alonso when Fernando was a two-time world champion and Lewis was a rookie. He did the same with Nico Rosberg in karting frankly – and every other team mate on his way into Formula One.
“He was disarmed by Jenson at the beginning and he probably thought that he was a nice guy, but he’d beat him. And he was probably surprised.”
Despite the competitiveness within the team, both drivers having won three races apiece this year, Whitmarsh is certain that their relationship, which is seen as one of the best on the grid, won’t change in 2012.
“I think we have a very good dynamic in the team because I know that teams can often talk about tranquillity and relationships in a team and put some spin on it, but I think that anyone who witnesses our drivers sees that there is genuine respect there.
“Even in the heat of the moment like in Canada where Lewis could have been easy meat for the media he showed extraordinary maturity and the way it was handled spoke volumes about the relationship in the team and especially between the two guys.
“All the talk about who is the number-one driver in the team is media-made, as McLaren have always been a team that let their drivers race. That is our spirit and we remain true to it.”
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