F1 News
Date: 6/October/2011
Jenson Button will be driving with the added confidence of a new multi-year McLaren contract during this weekend's Japanese F1 Grand Prix at Suzuka.
The 31-year-old Englishman moved to McLaren straight after his shock title success for Brawn GP in 2009.
Electing to go head-to-head with McLaren prodigy and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton was seen as a risky move by many.
But Button has flourished at the Woking-based team, winning four races and holding second in the Drivers' Championship heading into this weekend.
Speaking at Suzuka on Thursday, Button refused to state the extract length of his new contract, but was happy to explain what it meant to him.
"I can’t give details. All I can say is that I am very happy," he said. "I think this is a great opportunity over the next couple of years to really work closely with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes.
"We are so close to fighting with Red Bull, but yet so far. I think it is good to have the continuity going forward for the next couple of years. It is going to help us take the fight to them next season, I hope. That’s what we are working towards.
"It’s been a good couple of weeks. I have been enjoying racing and it is nice to finally sign on the dotted line and get a deal in place for the near future."
Button, an F1 driver since 2000, believes he is driving better than ever.
"I thought I drove pretty well through my championship-winning season, but I’m definitely a better driver now: the experiences that I’ve been through - good and bad - since then," he explained.
"It’s pretty traumatic when you’re fighting for a championship and you’re struggling for pace, so the experiences I’ve been through and the confidence that I have now and the team that I’m working with - they definitely help my performances.
"Am I more content? I don’t know. I’ve been pretty content over the last few years, in terms of racing and in terms of private life, so that’s not making a difference."
Button has finished all eleven Japanese Grands Prix he has raced in, with his best result a third place with Honda in 2004.
"I would love to win here. It is a circuit, along with Spa and Monaco, that means a lot to all of us," he said. "Whether we are quick enough or not we will have to wait and see, but we are in the hunt and I am looking forward to a fun weekend."
If Button wins, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still needs only a single point to wrap up his second successive title with four rounds to spare.
Vettel quipped: "Even if it is only one point, we need to make sure we get it. If someone wants to do me a favour they can push Jenson down the stairs later on!"
Button was more realistic: "I think it’s great, Sebastian thinking that I have a chance of winning the title. He’s probably the only person… It’s all but over."
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