”We had a very good chat and we apologised to the team because we were a bit
too aggressive and we risked quite a lot, especially as we needed those
points so much.
”The chat was mainly to clear the air, to say everything we thought between
us and to clear the relationship.
”At the moment we need to be together, to come out of the position we are in
because we are not quick enough.
”We have to keep working very closely, so the chat we all had has helped keep
the relationship strong, and it will help keep the team together to get out
of this difficult moment.”
Button, meanwhile, gave short shrift to anybody looking to revisit the events
in Bahrain.
Asked whether the matter was now resolved he replied: ”Yes. You should
believe our press releases.”
Suggested to Button he and Perez were a bit aggressive, he added: ”Fighting?
Is that what you want? Headbutting?
”No, nothing like that I’m sorry to say. On to Barcelona…”
Instead, Button heaped praise on Perez for the way he has integrated himself
into the team in such difficult circumstances, and Whitmarsh for not
intervening during the race in Bahrain.
”I saw a bit of footage of Martin on the pitwall after we had touched and he
looked a bit nervous,” assessed Button.
”But he didn’t get on the radio and say ‘calm down boys’ or anything. I did
that.
”It’s good we can have a bit of fun out there, but hopefully we’ll be doing
that a bit further up the grid this time.”
Button has still to get to know Perez, but from what he has seen of the
23-year-old so far, he has been impressed.
”I don’t really know him personally, but the great thing about Checo is he is
very relaxed in the team,” added Button.
”He’s young, reasonably inexperienced, but he has made himself feel at home
within the team very quickly.
”It’s a very open team as well, they really do welcome people in, and that is
what I found when I arrived, and that is important.
”He has learned pretty quickly, and he’s definitely part of the team.”