World champion Jenson Button has been hailed as cool, relaxed and mature as his relationship with McLaren continues to blossom.
Race engineer hails Briton's character ahead of Sepang
Reigning world champion Jenson Button has been hailed as cool, relaxed and mature as his relationship with McLaren continues to blossom.
The depiction of his character comes from his race engineer Jakob Andreasen following the Briton's maiden Grand Prix victory for McLaren in Australia last weekend.
Andreasen previously worked for Lewis Hamilton as assistant to his former race engineer Phil Prew, who has since been promoted to the role of principal race engineer and now oversees both drivers.
Parity
The reshuffle of McLaren staff was executed to ensure some level of parity in the Wokingham-based team, something that was tested in Melbourne.
Hamilton was called in for a fresh set of tyres when on course for the podium, while Button cruised to his first win since May last year after making an early call to pit for fresh rubber following a rain shower in the opening stages.
"We gave him the choice, and he felt the conditions were correct," said Andreasen.
"It was a bit of a risk, but he is good at detecting the grip, and he made the right call - fantastic job."
Andreasen revealed Button's relationship with McLaren is continually improving, and predicts his triumph Down Under could be the first of many this season.
"Jenson is a cool guy in general," he added. "He is a great guy to work with, very relaxed, very mature, and we get very good information from him all the time.
"We just make steady progress all the time. It's methodical, but we're getting there, and it's the start of a good relationship.
"I'm really, really positive about it, and hopefully this (the win) is the first of many."
Ominous
Ahead of the next race in Malaysia on Sunday, Button admits he is not yet as one with the McLaren car, which could be ominous news for team-mate Hamilton and his fellow title rivals.
"I've spoken before about needing time to get more comfortable in the car, and I still mean that," said Button.
"At Sepang, which is an awesome circuit and one I love driving, I think I'll be able to further develop and improve my relationship with the car."
