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Button laughs off Irvine jibes
Formula 1, 12:32, January 8, 2010 ,
Jenson Button has played down comments by ex-F1 driver Eddie Irvine that Lewis Hamilton "will murder" him on the track in 2010.
Button claimed the F1 title last year with new boys Brawn Racing but has now switched to McLaren to join 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton in an all-English line-up.
Hamilton has always been seen as McLaren's number one driver, having been with the team for all of his three racing seasons to date, and double world champion Fernando Alonso left the team after reportedly being made to feel second best during the 2007 season.
Despite the claims from Irvine, and the views of other pundits, Button is concentrating on matters on the track and will try to use negative comments to his advantage.
"I'm not one for answering back, there's no point," he said. "The important thing is I'm confident in my ability, so I don't feel I need to prove anything to anyone.
"Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I might not agree with it, but everyone is entitled to it.
"It makes my life a lot easier because I'm in a much more relaxed position than people telling me I'm going to destroy my team-mate.
"I can just focus on doing the best job I can and getting the best out of myself and the best out of the team.
"I am here for myself and also for McLaren. People's comments don't change anything."