Button Explains How Lewis Hamilton Was Different From ‘Wily Old Fox’ Fernando Alonso at McLaren
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ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 22: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Fernando Alonso of Spain and McLaren F1 talk in the Drivers Press Conference during previews ahead of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 22, 2018 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
In Formula One, 2009 world champion Jenson Button has had the honor of partnering two champions. From 2010 to 2012, he linked up with Lewis Hamilton, and from 2015 to 2016, he partnered Fernando Alonso. Since he has been teammates with Hamilton and Alonso, Button was able to judge their abilities. Delving into his knowledge of the two, the former F1 driver managed to point out the differences between them.
He said, “He [Hamilton] was a lot less experienced than the likes of Fernando Alonso at the time.
“Fernando was a wily old fox. He knew exactly what he needed to do to win. He had the speed but he also understood strategy and he knew what he had to do with the engineers to get them on his side.”
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Button put up a good fight against Hamilton and managed to beat him once, finishing the 2012 season two points adrift of the 2008 world champion. When he partnered Alonso, Button defeated him in 2015, but the tables were turned in 2016.
What did Button say about Lewis Hamilton?
According to the 41-year-old Briton, the Mercedes star is a straightforward person. In addition to that, he was extremely quick and had the ability to drive any car that was under him. And while Button noted the two are vastly different, he believes that Lewis Hamilton has changed a lot.
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SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA – Jenson Button of Great Britain and McLaren Honda in the garage during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
The older British driver chalked it down to Hamilton having more experience than when he partnered Button. According to the former McLaren driver, in his day, F1 was about driving every lap flat out. However, the sport has evolved a lot since then, and priorities have changed.
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He continued, “Back then it was just driving every lap flat out. Now he understands what he needs to do to get the best out of the car from A to B.”
As a result, the Knight has done what he needs to do to get the best out of his car. In that way, Jenson Button truly respects Hamilton and his ability behind the wheel.
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Now, the Mercedes driver heads into the coming weekend at Monaco for the next round of the season. Hamilton already has a slight advantage in the championship over rival, Max Verstappen. However, the Dutchman will be keen to turn the tables and edge closer to the Briton.
McLaren F1 Development Changes ‘Mentally Hurt’ Lewis Hamilton: Jenson Button
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