Button better than Schumacher and born to race
By Phil Huff
June 20 2006
Jenson Button is better than Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. A bold statement, but one that Jenson himself believes, and he's certain he'll get the opportunity to prove it.
June 20 2006
Jenson Button is better than Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. A bold statement, but one that Jenson himself believes, and he's certain he'll get the opportunity to prove it.
"The Michael Schumacher's of this world, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen - personally I think I can do a better job than all of them," said Jenson Button to the Sunday People. "Some of that is because of the confidence I have inside. Maybe being big-headed means that if I'm in the best car on the grid, or even a car equal to those of the best drivers on the grid, I'll win because I have the confidence to achieve that."
Winning the world championship remains Jenson's ultimate aim, but it's currently looking a somewhat unlikely target. However well Honda have done in recent years, there's always been on other team making a big step ahead. This year has been poor, with inconsistent performances from the team hindering development, but that's not put Button off.
"I'd be devastated if I didn't win the championship because it's what I've always wanted to achieve," he added. "I work so hard - harder than people realise. If I didn't win the world championship in the future I won't be able to live with myself, probably. But Honda won't leave F1 until they win the championship.
"I'm not satisfied because I'm disappointed to have spent so long not winning races. I've been asked the question so many times about not winning in 100 races. But nobody would have won a race in the cars that I had in those 100 races. I'm 100 per cent sure of that."
Button's F1 career hasn't been easy, with the driver going through three teams since his debut in 2000, before eventually ending up at BAR, now Honda. Despite two contract disputes during his time at Brackley, he's glad he's settled at Honda, and has committed his medium-term future to the team.
"Last year I realised just how strong the team were," he explained. "I went to the factory after the team were disqualified at Imola and it was amazing. They were all so upbeat and I saw how dedicated they were working relentlessly to turn things around."
The contract disputes have harmed Jenson's image, with fans in the US particularly upset at his perceived disloyalty, but that's been put behind him. While image matters, winning matters more.
"Public opinion does matter to me because I'm very patriotic and I love the atmosphere at Silverstone," Jenson added. "If I won I think that place would go crazy. The most important thing in my life is racing in F1 and challenging the world's best drivers. I think that's what I've been put on this earth to do and it's something I'm good at."
Winning the world championship remains Jenson's ultimate aim, but it's currently looking a somewhat unlikely target. However well Honda have done in recent years, there's always been on other team making a big step ahead. This year has been poor, with inconsistent performances from the team hindering development, but that's not put Button off.
"I'd be devastated if I didn't win the championship because it's what I've always wanted to achieve," he added. "I work so hard - harder than people realise. If I didn't win the world championship in the future I won't be able to live with myself, probably. But Honda won't leave F1 until they win the championship.
"I'm not satisfied because I'm disappointed to have spent so long not winning races. I've been asked the question so many times about not winning in 100 races. But nobody would have won a race in the cars that I had in those 100 races. I'm 100 per cent sure of that."
Button's F1 career hasn't been easy, with the driver going through three teams since his debut in 2000, before eventually ending up at BAR, now Honda. Despite two contract disputes during his time at Brackley, he's glad he's settled at Honda, and has committed his medium-term future to the team.
"Last year I realised just how strong the team were," he explained. "I went to the factory after the team were disqualified at Imola and it was amazing. They were all so upbeat and I saw how dedicated they were working relentlessly to turn things around."
The contract disputes have harmed Jenson's image, with fans in the US particularly upset at his perceived disloyalty, but that's been put behind him. While image matters, winning matters more.
"Public opinion does matter to me because I'm very patriotic and I love the atmosphere at Silverstone," Jenson added. "If I won I think that place would go crazy. The most important thing in my life is racing in F1 and challenging the world's best drivers. I think that's what I've been put on this earth to do and it's something I'm good at."
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