JENSON BUTTONAge 30
Date of Birth January 19 1980
Website www.jensonbutton.com
F1 highlights 170 GPs, 7 wins, 7 pole positions, 327 points, 2009 world champion
Q&AThis is the first time you’ve seen the car with the world champion’s number one on the nosecone, how does that make you feel?
“It feels fantastic! Winning the world championship last year was such a momentous achievement for me, but the winter has gone so quickly, I’ve been so busy and so focused on the year ahead, that the 2009 season already feels such a long time ago. It all still feels slightly surreal.
“But it’s an incredible feeling. I’m incredibly proud to be standing here today knowing I’ll be carrying the number one for the whole season: that’s a great responsibility but also a great honour. It’s something I’m relishing. It looks so cool too!”
What’s the plan for next week’s first test in Valencia and the three following sessions?
“Lewis and myself will be sharing the test days equally. It would be nice to be able to say that my first day will be about getting used to the car and the team, and making myself feel comfortable with the new environment. But Formula 1 is far too competitive for that: it’s about hitting the ground running.
“From the very first day, I’ll be working with the team to learn about the car and to develop it ahead of the first race. I’ve said it before: the pace of development in those opening tests could well determine the outcome of the championship.
“We’ve seen many times before that the winner of the first race of the season often goes on to take the championship, and we need to make sure we’re in a position to do just that in 2010.”
What’s struck you most since joining Vodafone McLaren Mercedes?
“Two things: firstly, the level of professionalism and commitment that’s always on display. Ever since I first arrived, it’s been clear to see that everybody is enormously motivated by winning and succeeding in Formula 1, and that’s a really healthy attitude, and one that fires me up enormously.
“Secondly, it’s a really warm and friendly team. Perhaps it’s not something you see from the outside looking in, but there’s a real human spirit, and a sense of people helping each other out. That’s something that really struck me, too.”
“I’ve got a great team around me, and I already feel very at home here. I just can’t wait to get in the car and start driving again. It really can’t come soon enough!”
LEWIS HAMILTONAge 25
Date of Birth January 7 1985
Website www.lewishamilton.com
F1 highlights 52 GPs, 11 wins, 17 pole positions, 256 points, 2008 world champion
Q&AWhat do you think of the new car?
“It looks brilliant. I’ve seen just how much effort and attention has gone into making this car what it is, we’ve been pushing like crazy to find the performance and I think you can see for yourselves that the result is something that looks very special, and very uncompromising. Of course, it’s still too early to tell exactly how we’ll fare against our rivals, but, after the pace we showed in the second half of last year, I feel very confident that we’ll be able to maintain that momentum, and that we’ll have a very competitive season.”
How do you think the new driver line-up will help the team in 2010?
“I think one of the greatest assets at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is the team’s strength in depth, and that’s something that shows throughout the whole organisation. We have a tremendous engineering team – people who have been here for many, many years and who have worked with some of the sport’s greatest champions and helped design and build some of Formula 1’s most iconic cars. They really want to deliver another fantastic car for the 2010 season.
“And both Jenson and I are world champions, and we both want to add to the team’s incredible winning legacy. I know how proud he feels to be a part of the team, and I know that we’ll work as hard as we possibly can to develop this car into a winner. I think a strong driver line-up will be very important this year as there are a lot of very competitive teams and drivers – and the stronger we can be, the better chance we’ll have of winning races. We all understand that.”
What are your aims for the season ahead?
“Obviously, I want to win the drivers’ world championship, that’s clear. But, just as important, I want to help the team to win the constructors’ championship. I also want to achieve something greater this year. I’d like us to demonstrate to the world the strength, passion, and depth of belief that exists within Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
“I think it’s set to be a great year for Formula 1. There will be four world champions on the grid – two of them in our team – and there are at least four teams who I think will win races. I think the sport can earn a lot of new fans throughout 2010. It should be brilliant.”
No comments:
Post a Comment