Formula One news

Hamilton tips Button to steal crown

Lewis Hamilton believes that compatriot Jenson Button is perfectly placed to clinch the drivers' world championship this year following Brawn GP's near-perfect start to the season. The Frome-born driver has scored forty-one of a possible forty-five points from the first five rounds in comparison to the World Champion's nine.

2009 has yielded the largest imaginable change in fortunes for Britain's two drivers, with last season's title winner struggling in the midfield and Button jumping from the bottom to the top of the pack. "I think Jenson's got a great chance, a great shot at it, so I wish him all the best," Hamilton said to Reuters, now just four Grand Prix wins ahead of Button's total. "I think if I were to wish anyone to win, it would be him."

Button's path to 2009 has not been a easy one since entering F1 with Williams in 2000. After suffering two miserable years with Honda in 2007 and 2008, and believing redundancy was on the cards following the Japanese manufacturer's withdrawal, the fairytale of the Brawn team has made headline news all year thus far.

"I think it's a great story, so I wish him all the luck," Hamilton continued, looking towards next weekend's Monaco Grand Prix. "They are going to have a great car there, so to beat them will be very tough. I don't think he has ever won there - it will be a very special one for him to add to his list."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Lola ready to enter Formula 1
  • Raikkonen close to Citroen WRC deal
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation

Homepage