Button ’surprised’ at his good relation with Hamilton

LONDON - Reigning Formula One champion Jenson Button has admitted that he is surprised he has got on so well with McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton this year.

“I am surprised how well we’ve got on. I never knew what Lewis was like as a person. Knew him as a kid, but that’s very different when you are both racing in F1. We both understand our private life is important as well as an F1 life - keeping it as private as you can,” News of the World quoted Button, as saying.

“We respect each other and we know we don’t want to lose to each other, we want to beat each other. As a driver that’s important to you, beating your teammate. But also we know that one driver on his own is not going to win a championship.”

“It takes two to develop a car and move it forward. He’s an intelligent guy and knows it takes both of us,” he added.

Button signed a three-year deal with McLaren in late 2009 for a reported six million pounds per season.

He had earlier said that he decided to leave Brawn GP because he wanted the motivation and challenge from competing head-to-head with Hamilton.

The 30-year-old further said that he is confident of evolving as a stronger driver in his second year with the team.

“Next year I’ll definitely be a stronger driver just through experience and having a bit more direction when it comes to the development of the car for 2011. I’m sure every driver says that every year but the fact is when I arrived in January the car was already built,” Button said.

“I don’t want to have any excuses because it’s been a great season and I’m very excited about next year. But still it’s not enough yet. We’re still fighting for the championship this year and that’s got to be our aim,” he added. (ANI)