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Button ready to form Hamilton partnership
Formula 1, 11:11, January 20, 2010 ,
Jenson Button has revealed that he will have 'a close relationship' with Lewis Hamilton to bring Formula One success to McLaren.
The reigning world champion has been recruited by McLaren for the 2010 campaign after he helped Brawn GP to seal the constructors' title in 2009 in addition to his personal success.
Button will be driving alongside 2008 winner and fellow Englishman Hamilton and expects 'a fierce rivalry' to emerge between the duo in their pursuit of the drivers' crown. However Button, who celebrated his 30th birthday on Tuesday, insists they must also work together to ensure their own ambitions do not hinder the team's bid for success.
"We'll be fierce rivals on the circuit," Button told the BBC.
"But to be quick and to fight for the world championships we need to work together - and that's what we'll do."
He added: "Lewis has gained a lot of experience in his short career in F1 and so have I.
"It's been negative and positive for both of us and if we bring it together we'll be a lot stronger package this season.
"I wouldn't have won the world championship without Rubens Barrichello [Brawn team-mate].
"We built the car up, we pushed for improvements, we worked together as a team and you see what happens at the end of the year.
"The only way of changing that is by working hard at the start of the year."
Button is also confident that McLaren will not favour one driver over another as they strive for a first constructors' crown since 1998.
"We will have exactly the same backing and support to achieve what we hope to achieve," said Button.
"Whatever happens this year happens, but first of all we need to work together to be competitive.
"We really do need to work closely together, and Lewis understands that as well. It's an exciting partnership.
"We'll have a close relationship and will work in the same direction."