McLaren drivers Hamilton and Button not interested in runner-up spot
By Jonathan Noble
Friday, September 23rd 2011, 10:20 GMT
McLaren duo Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton say they have no interest in who finishes runner-up behind Sebastian Vettel in the title chase this year - as the focus for the remainder of the year is on building momentum for a return to form in 2012.
With Vettel on the verge of clinching his second championship in Singapore this weekend, both Hamilton and Button concede that the fight for title glory is over for this year.
But despite a close fight between the McLaren duo, Fernando Alonso and Mark Webber for the runner-up spot, neither driver says he will get too excited about who wins the battle for 'best of the rest'.
Speaking at a promotional event for new McLaren sponsor Lucozade, Hamilton said: "Anywhere below first you are just the first, second, third or fourth of the losers..."
Button added: "It's [finishing second] not really the aim, is it? When you've won championships…if you haven't won the championship it is probably different, but when you have, you just want to win."
Despite not caring about finishing runner-up in the championship, both Hamilton and Button are determined to secure as many wins as possible before the end of the year – and have put a special focus on ending Red Bull Racing's lock-out of pole positions this year.
Hamilton said: "It would be fantastic. Just for the team, being the only team and being the only driver able to knock Seb off pole position would be pretty cool. We want to get in front of the Red Bulls this weekend."
Button added: "It is not going to make any difference to the championship, but it would be nice as a team to qualify on pole here, or at least the front row.
"If we can win the race here and continue that until the end of the season that is a great starting point for next year."
Credit: AUTOSPORT.COM (www.autosport.com)
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