03/07/2014
NEWS STORY
Jenson Button brushes aside boss's 'must try harder' comments saying entire team needs to improve.
Speaking earlier this week, Dennis said that whilst happy with his drivers' performances this year, especially given the equipment they have been given, the F1 veteran admitted that he felt Button should be regularly out-performing his teammate, Kevin Magnussen.
"I'm happy with the drivers in the sense I think they are giving their best," he told Sky Sports. "I'm sure Kevin is giving a big wake-up call to Jenson. In some ways you say: 'Great, we've made a great choice with Kevin.' But in other ways you say: 'Come on Jenson, you are a world champion and absolutely one thing you can do on a consistent basis - and you should be doing it - is beating your team-mate.'
"Do I want him to try harder? Of course I do," he continued. "He's a highly paid grand prix driver. Yes, we are not giving him the best car; yes, it would be challenging for him to win in this car to say the least, but he could do his bit and Kevin has to make it as difficult for him as possible."
Asked about the comments, Button's responded with a nice touch of sarcasm. "I think Ron's practicing to be a motivational speaker maybe," he smiled.
"I think when we're in the position that we have been in for 18 months, it's not easy," her continued. "For anyone within the team. It's very, very difficult. So, no, I think we all need to work harder as a team. I don't think we should be pointing a finger at any individual within the team.
"I think we've got ourselves into this situation and we've got to fight our way out. I don't do things in half-measures. I have the experience in Formula One to know that you need to give 100 per cent and I always do every time I'm in the paddock, at the factory, on the phone to my engineers. Everything is 100 per cent."
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Chris Balfe