Jenson Button 'mentally drained' by McLaren's poor performance
Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Just one race into the new Formula One season and the messages coming from the respective camps of British drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could not be more different. “I definitely feel the team is flat out, is on it, and we are going in the right direction.” As for Button, simply scoring his two points for ninth place was “a bonus” as McLaren are yet to understand the car they have developed for this year. Button said: “For any team that works so hard through the winter, to arrive at the first race and not have the performance, mentally it is very draining.” Button also defended Whitmarsh, whose position is potentially in danger after four years in charge without a title, and after overseeing this latest horrendous wrong turn. We want to improve, but it is going to be a long journey for us I think.” That journey has led to speculation McLaren could even resort to resurrecting last year’s car.
Jenson Button has to wait until DECEMBER to find out whether he has McLaren future
Lewis Hamilton backs Jenson Button and urges McLaren to change car not driver
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