Button claims Hamilton finishing second is a ‘big deal’ to Mercedes star
Jenson Button has heaped praise onto Lewis Hamilton for his positive attitude after finishing second at the Mexican Grand Prix last weekend. Button, who raced alongside Hamilton at McLaren from 2010 to 2012, explains how finishing as a runner-up always used to bug the seven-time F1 champion.
However, a change in the sporting landscape has led to a shift in Hamilton’s mentality. The Mercedes star holds the record for the most F1 wins with 103 but hasn’t finished in pole position since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 5 2021.
Since the last time Hamilton won a race, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have reigned supreme over the sport. Verstappen has picked up three consecutive drivers titles from 2021 to 2023 while Red Bull secured back-to-back constructor crowns at Suzuka in September.
The 2023 season is on course to being the most dominant in the history of the sport. Verstappen has already broken the record for the most wins in a single season with 16 and is on the cusp of becoming the first driver to surpass the 500-point barrier.
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Red Bull is also on the verge of crushing Mercedes’s record-breaking 765-point season in 2016. They have totalled 731 points so far with three races still to go.
As a result, the Brit has had to adjust his goals and is visibly a lot happier about finishing on the podium. Following disappointing results in Qatar and the United States, Button believes his success at the Mexican Grand Prix will fill him with confidence that everything is progressing in the right direction.
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“It’s great to see Lewis so upbeat,” said Button. “He got out of the car and jumped his mechanics. Lewis finishing second used to be a thing where he was disappointed.
“He can see progress, especially after last weekend’s disqualification. This is a big deal to him. Also, to keep those tyres working until the end of the race. For George? It’s tricky. Your teammate is second and you’re sixth. It’s tough, it really is.”
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