Jenson Button hits back at Bernie Ecclestone

By Phil Huff
October 20 2006

Jenson Button has hit back at comments made by Bernie Ecclestone, suggesting that the Formula One superemo hasn't looked at all the facts.

As reported on RealHondaF1.com on Wednesday, Bernie claimed that Jenson doesn't work hard enough in Formula One, saying that "Jenson is much like the old-time drivers. The Graham Hill type of driver with all the talent that they need, except nowadays you've got to be dedicated, too.

"Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved," added Ecclestone, illustrating his point. "He is dedicated to what he is and puts himself under an awful lot of pressure. He'll win a race and next day start testing. I'm not sure whether Jenson is prepared to do that."

Ahead of this weekends Brazilian Grand Prix, the last race of the season, Button hit back in forthright style, commenting "You have just got to look at the facts and the statistics, which he hasn't done," he said. "I read that I don't work hard enough, that I don't go from a race to a test. Well that's not true. I've done more mileage than anyone in testing, especially over the winter.

"During the season it's been similar to Michael, about the same mileage because we're limited," continued Button, dismissing Ecclestone's claim." There's no facts to say that I don't put enough effort in, I put a lot of effort in.

"Formula One is very different to what it used to be in the past," he added, "and you have to work bloody hard. Every driver is working hard but people don't see that. I'm giving everything. Everything I do in my life is to do with Formula One and to do with improving my career. So that couldn't be further from the truth.

In 2006, Jenson has covered over 800 miles more than Schumacher in testing. In the pre-season rounds of testing between January and the Bahrain GP, Button covered more miles than any other driver.