Jenson Button recently reflected on his time alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren in 2010, providing insight into team dynamics and how Hamilton responded to his approach, highlighting one unexpected surprise. Discussing the partnership, Button described how his efforts to engage closely with engineers created a supportive environment, serving as a key detail in the story of Jenson Button on Hamilton McLaren.
Button’s Arrival at McLaren and Building Strong Team Relationships
Jenson Button joined McLaren after securing the 2009 world championship title with Brawn GP, stepping into the British team one year after his triumph. Hamilton, already renowned as the 2008 world champion, was established as a top driver at the Woking-based outfit when Button arrived. Despite entering as a new team member, Button quickly settled in and was welcomed by the staff and technical crew.
Sharing his experience on Sky Sports’ The F1 Show, Button revealed the strategies he used to become an integral part of the team. He emphasized his focus on building relationships with both engineers and mechanics, aiming to develop a trusted support network within the organization.
“The thing that probably he is a lot stronger with now than in 2010 is the mental side of things. You know, it was a lot more difficult back then. I think he felt that it was his team, and I came in and didn’t make it my team, but I spent a lot more time with the mechanics and the engineers to build a team of people around me,” said Button.
“And I think he was surprised by that and that they were supporting me as much as they were him,” he added.
Competitive Seasons and the Evolution of Hamilton
Between 2010 and 2012, Button and Hamilton formed McLaren’s formidable driver pairing. Although Hamilton outperformed Button in two of their three seasons together, the 2011 campaign stood out as the exception, when Button finished ahead in the drivers’ championship, securing second place overall.
Button’s candid comments highlighted the challenges of competing against a driver as talented as Hamilton, while also drawing attention to the professional growth both experienced as teammates at McLaren and later as rivals in Formula 1. Their competition also involved learning from each other and from other prominent drivers, such as Nico Rosberg and Fernando Alonso.
Learning and Growth Among Rivals
On the same Sky Sports program, Button described another quality he noticed about Hamilton: his impressive ability to absorb lessons from those around him, including teammates and opponents, reflecting the ongoing evolution that shapes a champion’s legacy. Over the span of his career, Hamilton has worked and competed with top talents like Fernando Alonso and Nico Rosberg, in addition to his years alongside Button.
Reflecting on the significance of these experiences, Button’s insights shed light on the value of collaboration, adaptability, and learning within elite motorsport teams. As both men advanced to new chapters of their careers—Hamilton eventually moving to Mercedes and claiming additional titles—their time together at McLaren remains a meaningful chapter in Formula 1 history, underscoring the importance of teamwork and personal growth in a highly competitive world.
