Button admits friction with Hamilton, 'can't compare' him to F1 greats

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Jenson Button admits there was some friction between himself and Lewis Hamilton during their time at McLaren.

The Briton made the switch as world champion for 2010 and then became the first driver to outscore his fellow countryman over a full season in 2011.

Ultimately, it would be Hamilton who left McLaren for Mercedes at the end of 2012 and, while the partnership may have been a dream for British fans, Button admits there was little chemistry.

"Midway through that first season, I was ahead of Lewis in the points. Did he like being beaten by his teammate? Probably not," he told UK radio station talkSPORT.

"But he’s a competitor and I’m sure that like me he relished the challenge. That’s why we do what we do.

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"Personally, he was fine with me, but you could just tell he was a little bit peeved. I don’t think that I was to his taste if I’m honest.

"And things took a bit of a turn for the worse in Turkey when we almost had a collision that led to a minor falling-out between us."

That wasn't the only flashpoint either, with the pair colliding in Canada the next year at the famous race which Button would come through to win on the final lap.

Flash forward to today though, and the 39-year-old is now retired while Lewis is on the brink of moving within one of Michael Schumacher's record of seven F1 titles.

However, when asked how Hamilton rates among the greats, Button wasn't so sure. 

"You really can't compare, he's been in a team that has dominated Formula 1," he replied.

"I have loved watching F1 this year because Ferrari and Red Bull have had chances to win races and it's been awesome to watch, but over a season the Mercedes team has been so dominant.

"He's done a fantastic job as a driver, he's done what's been asked of him, but you can't compare him to drivers of a different era. It was a different sport, even, back then."

 

         

 

 

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