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FORMULA ONE
WORLD champion Jenson Button admits he has realised a boyhood ambition after signing up to drive for McLaren next season.
Button yesterday confirmed a “multi-year deal” to race alongside fellow Englishman and 2008 title-winner Lewis Hamilton at the Woking-based outfit.
The 29-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season at Brawn GP this year, winning the drivers’ title after being written off by many observers as a perennial also-ran. But he failed to agree fresh terms with the team, who were this week taken over and re-branded Mercedes GP, paving the way for a dream switch.
“I’ve followed the McLaren team ever since I was a small boy, and it feels unbelievable to finally be a part of it,” said Button. “McLaren is one of the greats of world sport, and its achievements and list of past champions read like a Who’s Who of Formula One: Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and of course my new team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The trophy cabinets seem to stretch for miles.
“It’s always a difficult decision to leave a team when you’ve been there for so long. But life is all about challenges and, most important of all, it’s about challenging yourself.”
Button’s move means McLaren will be the first team in the sport’s history to have both of the last two title winners. It also represents the first time since 1968, when Graham Hill and Jim Clark lined up at Lotus, that two British world champions have raced alongside each other.
Despite being the current No1, Button risks being overshadowed by Hamilton who, despite being five years his junior, has a higher profile and is widely considered to be the faster driver. Button, however, believes he can teach Hamilton a few tricks, saying: “I’m sure there’s plenty we can learn from each other.”
Hamilton predicted they would form a formidable pairing: “I believe we can pull together to make McLaren the best team on the grid.” Button’s switch comes after talks between McLaren and Kimi Raikkonen collapsed, with the ex- Ferrari driver now set to leave F1 for rallying.