Could it be that Button’s form is rattling him? Button, of course, is far too
diplomatic to say.
“I don’t know,” said the 31 year-old, who outqualified Hamilton for only the
fourth time in 14 races on Saturday.
“I am definitely driving well at the moment. I am happy with the way I’m
driving and happy with the way that the car feels underneath me. I really do
feel part of it which gives you a lot more confidence.
“When I talk to Lewis, I don’t think he has changed the way he drives or
anything. We are just closer on the grid. I got a good start [on Sunday] and
he got a bad one. The bad start put him back into the pack and on a street
circuit you are going to take some risks.”
Button, a naturally diplomatic soul although not a complete stranger to mind
games, is of course keenly aware that to say anything inflammatory about
Hamilton would be to incite a deluge of speculation regarding their
relationship, which is professional if not friendly.
Asked if he would be ringing Hamilton to offer any words of support, Button
answered: “To be fair I wasn’t planning on it. We never talk away from the
circuit. When we finish our race we go away and spend time with people who
really know us as a person and not just as a racing driver.
“When he gets back home I am sure he will have people around him that will
pick him up.”
Sadly for Hamilton, when he gets home on Friday after a PR appearance in India
and two days on the simulator at Woking, it will be to an empty apartment.
Button, who also returns to the UK for some simulator time before returning to
Japan on Friday, is just concentrating on maintaining his form until the end
of the year. With Vettel having all but sewn up the championship, he knows
that all eyes will now turn to his battle with Hamilton for McLaren honours.
Both have claimed it does not bother them. Both must surely be lying.
“For us the important thing is to work together until the end of the year. If
people try to turn us against each other”… Button began.
When it was pointed out that it was perfectly natural for British fans to be
interested in who would emerge victorious, and not necessarily in turning
them against each other, Button conceded the point but said his target was
simply to be the strongest driver in the second half of the season.
“My aim is to get more points than anyone over the last nine races,” he said.
“But it will be bloody difficult.”