Button will still drive for McLaren in 2012
Martin Whitmarsh revealed that the team's two drivers in 2012 would be the same as this year and last year, namely Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.
The contract extension of Lewis Hamilton had already been confirmed several weeks ago, but Button’s was delayed even though both parties wanted to continue together. And it is now official, McLaren Mercedes will lift the option it has for 2012 with Jenson Button.
«I can guarantee that he (Button) will be with us next season. We both want to work together long-term, Martin Whitmarsh, the director of the McLaren team, told BBC Sport.
Button joined the McLaren team at the beginning of 2010 after his title win with Brawn GP. Many observers thought he would be significantly outpaced by Lewis Hamilton, but that has not been the case, as both British drivers have almost the same number of points – 149 for Button and 146 for Hamilton, with two victories each.
Martin Whitmarsh also recalled that he was satisfied with Button’s performances, because even though he is not the best attacker, he is an excellent driver with quite incredible ease on a wet track and who knows how to manage his tires very well, which often allows him to fight at the front even when he qualifies poorly, as was the case at Spa-Francorchamps where he finished in 3rd place in the race after starting in 13th position on the grid.
Jenson has put on some of the most spectacular races in Formula 1 this season. And I think he is capable of even better, added Whitmarsh.
