08/01/2010
NEWS STORY
2009 world champion, Jenson Button says he is looking forward to partnering Lewis Hamilton at McLaren next season, dismissing claims that he will get "murdered" by his teammate.
The Englishman, spending his first whole day with his new team at its Woking HQ, has been the subject of constant speculation since his shock move to McLaren was announced, and it is sure to build in the season ahead.
Judging by the comments on message boards and forums, most fans think Button is in for a mauling from his teammate, while earlier in the week Eddie 'motormouth Irvine added his two cents, claiming that the 2009 will "get murdered".
"I'm not going to say he starts with a big advantage," Button told reporters after meeting with his new crew and various other members of the McLaren team for the first time. "I will say it's all new to me with the team and I've got to get to know a lot of people and how they work, which is going to take a little time. Hopefully we will be ready for the first race."
Asked about the speculation, including Irvine's prediction, the Englishman said: "I'm not one for answering back. There is no point for me in doing that. The important thing is I'm confident in my ability and I think everybody is entitled to their opinions.
"When I decided to join McLaren and partner Lewis, I knew it was not going to be easy but it is a challenge that I am very excited about. I don't feel I need to prove anything to anyone. People's comments don't change anything, the only way it will be changed is on the track this season.
"If fact," he continued, "it makes my life a lot easier because I'm in a much more relaxed position than if people were telling me that I was going to destroy my teammate. I can just focus on doing the best job I can and getting the best out of myself and also getting the best out of the team. In a way, I don't think it's a negative thing."
The other big question everyone is asking is why Button opted to leave Brawn and join McLaren, a move which caused the Brackley outfit's Nick Fry to openly question the English driver's loyalty.
"Maybe if I stayed where I was, it would have been harder to get a second title," said the Englishman, "maybe I wouldn't have been so motivated. But moving to where I am now, I think it's really motivated me. It is a big challenge but something that excites me and something I am going to work really hard on achieving this year."
Certainly, no matter what happens in the World Championship in general, it is the battle between the two British world champions that most will be watching, especially the British media and motormouth Irvine.