Why does Button keep saying this? It's not like he is beating his teammate by a lot. According to the Englishman, the team are paying the price for appointing an inexperienced driver in the shape of rookie team-mate Magnussen. "It does make it more difficult, I'm not going to lie about that," said Button. "Kevin is inexperienced, and although he is learning quickly, there is a still tenth or two [not] there from him not having as much information or experience as we should have."
Absolute bullshit (from Button) Button with his 15 years of F1 experience should be able to make up for it, even if it is an issue, which I don't think it is. The bigger problem is Button's inability to drive a car that is not 100% perfect for him. What difference would a tenth or two make to McLaren anyway, they are so far off the pace? If McLaren only have an option on Button for 2015, they'd be better off now trying to get someone else. As a team leader he just isn't as effective as a Vettel/Alonso/Hamilton type driver.
Jenson Button says McLaren are being hurt by the inexperience of Kevin Magnussen McLaren without a point in three successive races since March By Pete Gill. Last Updated: 11/05/14 5:42pm Share: 1 20 Sky Bet 2014 Drivers' Championship Lewis Hamilton 1/4 Nico Rosberg 7/2 Sebastian Vettel 14/1 2014 Constructors' Championship Bet with Sky Bet Jenson Button says McLaren are being hurt by the inexperience of Kevin Magnussen with the team, one of the most successful in the sport's history, still without a point since March. After the relief of a double-podium finish in the season-opening Australian GP, McLaren have failed to score a single point in the last three races despite being powered by the field-leading Mercedes engines. Following a dismal 2013 campaign, in which the team failed to register a single podium, McLaren introduced the MP4-29 as a building-block car with a series of scheduled upgrades expected to propel the team closer to the front of the grid. Instead, the team have steadily and substantially fallen away into the midfield pack, with Button only 11th in Barcelona and the struggling Magnussen just 12th. "We're not doing a good enough job, we're really not," an unhappy Button told the BBC. According to the Englishman, the team are paying the price for appointing an inexperienced driver in the shape of rookie team-mate Magnussen. "It does make it more difficult, I'm not going to lie about that," said Button. "Kevin is inexperienced, and although he is learning quickly, there is a still tenth or two [not] there from him not having as much information or experience as we should have." On Sky Sports F1 Midweek Report 14th May May 14, 2014 8:30pm Get a Sky Sports Day PassUpgrade to Sky Sports Button's mood was not improved by a frustrating race in Spain which saw him beaten to the chequered flag by the cars of six other teams. The 2009 World Champion was the embodiment of irritation afterwards. "I got a bad launch [from the grid] and on the first lap struggled to get any heat into the tyres," Button told Sky Sports F1. "I then pitted behind one Force India to get the jump on the other one, but I then had to sit in the box because another car came along behind me. I then came out in front of Lewis [Hamilton] but had to let him through even though he was slower than me - which was the first time I've seen that this year. "The car did feel a bit better in the race, we just couldn't do anything with it. We've made progress, the first lap made all the difference and it's so difficult to overtake around here." After being overtaken by Williams in the standings following Valtteri Bottas' fifth place in Spain, McLaren are now sixth in the Constructors' Championship. Their three-race scoreless streak represents the team's worst run since 2009.
Not sure what to say about that... Probably just frustration. Doesn't come across very well though. Magnussen could turn the tables and say he expects more from an experienced teammate. I put it down to just frustration.
Great strategic ballets played out on both sides of the mercedes pitfall. It was intriguing right up to the finish line. It tells you that they are letting their guys race and isn't favoring one over the other. They could have easily put both on the same strategy and have a funeral procession to the finish but they didn't, so all credit to them.
While I agree, I think he should be taking it out on the team not a young guy into the team for just five races now. I am sure the car was set up around Button and he had the most input into that car from a driver's perspective. I mean he has three points more than the rookie who has been in f1 now for just five races. I think the guy should be blaming him for not leading the team in the right direction. I am disappointed.
If you watch the interview. It didn't really feel like button was having a dig at kev at all. Just media twist
Magnussen has done a very good job in difficult circumstances. In his interviews that I see him in, he comes across very calm and straight forward with his opinions about the car. Button is the team leader and should be helping to drive this team forward with the help of his team mate and not criticizing him. Button is looking to be under pressure this season to keep his drive.
He only has 3 more points because he was shafted by a red flag in qualifying for the only race in which the car was competitive and broke down whilst miles ahead on to pick up 10 points in Bahrain. Magnussen has not be performing as well as Jenson, although he is doing admirably for a rookie. I am interested that Jenson appears to have repeated that statement though. I saw it on thursday, although then it was followed by compliments on Kevins pace and how quickly he's developing. I'm going to call media spin on it as well.
He's baaaaaccccck... Vettel - "I felt for the first time this year very well with my car, this is one of the days with which one very, can be very happy, even though you did not win. I hope now it's finally up! "
