Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton unwavering in title pursuit
McLaren’s Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton have put their recent race disappointments behind them and insist that the 2010 Formula 1 championship title is not yet beyond their grasp.
The team has suffered significant losses in the past two races, with Hamilton unable to complete either event, and Button falling behind their prolific rivals. But McLaren retains their second position
in the constructor’s championship with 359 points – 24 points behind leader Red Bull, and with four races left, the two champions are determined to battle onwards.
“I can put it in perspective. For the second year running, I’m right in the hunt for the world championship,” stated Button, who took the title in 2009. “I’m already the world champion and I’ve still got
every chance of holding on to my title. That’s what I’m in Formula 1 to do, and that’s why I signed for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes; to have that opportunity.”
The 30-year-old, who has scored a series of podium finishes this year, currently sits in fifth place with 177 points, and hopes to narrow the gap between himself and the other contenders at the Japanese
Grand Prix.
“I see it as my second home grand prix,” claimed the Briton. “It’s a very special race and one I’m very much looking forward to because I love Suzuka.”
When addressed about McLaren’s lacklustre performance in the past few races, Button commented, “It was a little disappointing to see that we probably didn’t have enough pace to take the fight to the Ferraris
and the Red Bulls, but that was to be expected, really. Singapore is one of the highest down-force tracks on the calendar, so it’s not a place where our car would really excel...I think the next four races will be very interesting; they’ll certainly play more
to our strengths.”
Button also emphasized that the race for the title is far from over, and that despite Fernando Alonso of Ferrari’s recent run, no name is engraved on the trophy just yet.
“I think Singapore showed that it will probably take a couple of races to have a more significant impact on the overall standings. Okay, Fernando’s had two good races, and is right in the thick of things,
but Lewis [Hamilton] has retired from the last two races, and he’s still right there, and both Sebastian and me are ready to strike. So there's not going to be one pivotal race, except perhaps for the final one – it’s just about taking home the points every
weekend.”
As for teammate and 2008 world champion Hamilton, the title chances have not diminished, despite being forced to retire at Spa and Singapore due to his vehicle failing upon collision. The 25-year-old,
who is presently ranked third with 182 points, has resolved to put his troubles behind him, vowing to approach each race with renewed energy.
“Clearly, it’s not been a good run of results,” he admitted. “But I don’t look at those races and think what might have been, or what additional points I might have if I’d finished. There’s no point. You
just need to look at the situation facing you, and work your hardest to do your best.”
“So I don’t look at my retirements in Spain, or Hungary, or in the last two races as what’s been lost. I'm just looking ahead at the next four races – I haven’t won at any of those tracks, so I’ll be even
more motivated than ever to make amends for that.”
And Hamilton, who has come under criticism for his bold style of aggressive racing, has declared that while taking his experiences with him into the last four races, he will not change his driving style.
“I’m a racer. I always race my heart out, and nothing will ever change that.”
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