The 2000s were one of the driest times in their F1 history for McLaren as the British team barely fought for championship trophies. However, a rookie in Lewis Hamilton turned McLaren’s fortunes in 2007 after leading the team to almost their first F1 title since 1999.
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
Though his first attempt failed, the British managed the feat the following season, and that win led to McLaren’s respect for Hamilton. Over time, Hamilton became the focus of the team, and Jenson Button recently confirmed that too.
What did Button say?
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
During a podcast, Button envisioned the exact scenario that was playing out when he first joined McLaren in 2009. Apparently, he felt it was more of a Lewis Hamilton F1 team than a McLaren F1 team.
The Briton further revealed the conversation he had with Ron Dennis when he discovered that Hamilton was the captain on the team.
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and McLaren drives during the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Paul Gilham / Getty Images)
“I remember walking into McLaren and the first thing I said was before I met anyone, I spoke to Martin Wimmer, Ron Dennis and said, ‘My first question is, is the Lewis’ team? Am I treated the same here? If it’s not me, I don’t want to be here. ‘
“And they said: ‘Yes, everything will be 100% the same for both drivers,'” said the Brawn World Champion on the podcast ‘The High-Performance’.
Brawn has advised Button against joining Lewis Hamilton
Button revealed that many, including his bosses Ross Brawn and Nick Fry, warned against joining Hamilton at McLaren.
“People said it was the craziest move to join McLaren alongside Lewis Hamilton. And that’s what Ross Brawn said, ”added Button.
Lewis Hamilton (R) from Great Britain and McLaren listens as Michael Schumacher (L) from Germany and Mercedes GP at the drivers press conference during the preview of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Monte Carlo Circuit in Monte Carlo, Monaco , speaks. (Photo by Clive Mason / Getty Images)
“You know, I told the team that I was leaving at the end of 2009. I spoke to Nick Fry. He was basically just yelling at me. He was one of the bosses alongside Ross Brawn at the time. ”
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
Overall, Button may not have capitalized on his stint at McLaren, and things have only gotten a lot worse since the hybrid era. However, he managed the almost impossible task of beating Hamilton as a teammate. And in 15 years of Hamilton’s era, Button will remain the only driver alongside Nico Rosberg to do this.
View history: Lewis Hamilton: Ranking of his F1 world titles from 2008 to 2020
ADVERTISING
Article continues under this ad
The post Button reveals confrontation with Ron Dennis at McLaren F1 over Lewis Hamilton first appeared on monter-une-startup.
