Jenson Button says he understands the need to have a number two driver within a team, as it presents the best opportunity to win world championships.
Whilst this might be true, and is certainly something employed at Ferrari with Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, Button insists it isn’t the case at McLaren, despite the potential benefit.
“The best way for a team to win the world championship would be probably to have a No. one driver, and a No. two driver who is happy to be a No. two,” Button told Welt. “We don’t have this at McLaren.”
The Frome-born driver says he and team are happy when either one of them win, no matter whether it’s himself or his teammate, Lewis Hamilton.
“If I cannot win then I am pleased if he wins. I’m like: ‘Wow, he has really done a good job’. On the other hand it will be exactly the same [for Hamilton] because we drive for the same team. A victory is always good for the mood within the team.”
Button also spoke highly of Hamilton’s ability to drive a bad car, as proven in 2009, whilst the 31-year-old requires a perfect set-up to get the best results.
“Lewis is very good. Even if his car is not perfect, he makes more of the opportunities than I do. I, on the other hand, feel uncomfortable in a car that does not meet my wishes or ideas. If I can not find the optimal setup, I find it difficult to drive extremely fast lap times.”
