Button plans to nurture F1 stars
Saturday 9th July 2011
Jenson Button is poised to step into driver management as he believes he can offer expert insight to the next generation.
With 12 years of Formula One experience behind him, Button believes the time is right to put his knowledge and expertise of a closely scrutinised industry to good use.
In conjunction with his manager, Richard Goddard, the McLaren star is ready to branch out and pass on his wisdom, even at a time when he is still currently racing.
"This is something we've been looking into for quite a while, and it's not just something for after F1, but for during F1," said Button.
"As a driver who has been racing for 12 years, I've been through the good and the bad.
"Formula One has obviously changed a lot since I started, and I've learned a lot, and that knowledge could be very useful for other people, and not just for British kids.
"I think I've a lot to offer, so it could be very exciting. It's something I'm very excited about."
However, Button admits the arrangement is very different to the one involving Mark Webber and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner who run a GP3 team together.
"It involves not just myself and Richard, but a company, so it is very interesting," added Button.
"But for me Formula One, and making it to Formula One, is not just about driving fast.
"It's about carrying yourself correctly, working in the right way with your team, sponsors and engineers.
"It's also about training in the right way so you enjoy it, along with learning about nutrition, being in the right frame of mind, all the mental aspects.
"If you're a kid and they hear that kind of thing from someone who has not had Formula One experience, from a manager, then they will go, 'Well, what do you know?'.
"But if it comes from someone who has actually been through it, then it's a great angle and it could work well.
"It's something we're going to look at in the near future."
Such thoughts on a different side of motor-racing life for Button at least distracted him from a sodden day at Silverstone.
The majority of the two 90-minute practice sessions proved to be a washout, in particular the second in which 50 minutes were lost.
Come the conclusion, Webber posted the fastest time overall, which came in the morning run when conditions were marginally at their best.
Even then, Webber's time of one minute 46.603secs was 17 seconds slower than the pole lap of team-mate Sebastian Vettel 12 months ago.
For a crowd of around 75,000, it proved a frustrating day, although they were not the only ones experiencing such an emotion.
"Today was one of frustration for me too," said Button.
"We thought we'd get some good running under our belts, but the rain meant that didn't happen, and we didn't really get a chance to evaluate everything.
"I just hope it's not going to rain for the rest of the weekend."
Hamilton was upbeat, attempting to maintain a positive mindset in the wake of his negativity that followed the European Grand Prix in Valencia 12 days ago.
"It's a shame today was so wet because I really wanted to put on a good show for all the fans," said Hamilton.
"They had to brave some pretty cold and damp conditions all day, so I'm pleased it looks like the weather will improve for the rest of the weekend. Fingers crossed.
"Despite the lack of running, today was actually quite encouraging. We tested a couple of things and I managed to pick up quite a decent feeling for the car.
"It's going to be interesting tomorrow if it's dry, because I think our car is looking quite good."
Hamilton was forced to see the stewards again, but came away believing he had taught them a trick or two.
The 26-year-old was caught using the DRS on his car - the moveable rear wing - in the wet, which is not allowed.
Explaining the situation, a happy Hamilton said: "The rules don't clearly state whether you can use DRS on slicks (tyres) in wet conditions, which is what we did this morning.
"The stewards just wanted to understand so they could tighten the wording of the regulations for the next race.
"I also suggested a couple of tweaks to make the regulations clearer and safer, so it was quite a useful visit."
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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