Good calls and not good luck have won Jenson Button two of his first four races with his new team McLaren, the world champion said on Sunday after victory in the Chinese Grand Prix.
The 30-year-old made the correct tyre choice as the rain came down at the start of the Shanghai, going on to lead teammate Lewis Hamilton to the first one-two for British drivers since 1999.
Button had similarly benefited from his tyre choice on a drying track in Melbourne in the second race of the season and now leads the world championship standings by 10 points.
That is quite an achievement given the consensus that the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, who started first and second on the grid in China, are the fastest cars.
“This victory really means a lot, it was a tricky race out there, it’s not just about being quick, you have to read the conditions right,” said Button.
“The tricky conditions have helped me but it’s not luck that we came out on top today, we chose correctly in the conditions.”
The victories would also seem a vindication of Button’s decision to quit the Brawn GP team — now Mercedes — with whom he won the world title last year to join Hamilton at McLaren.
Most drivers present a united front with their teammates, in public at least, but Hamilton’s pat on the helmet and hug for Button after the race looked genuine.
“Coming across the line just one second ahead of Lewis, just shows what a team effort this has been,” Button said after being congratulated again by his teammate at the start of the post-race news conference.
“My first few months have been extraordinary and I really feel a part of this team.
“It’s a nice position to be in, leading the championship after four races, three-week break now and I’m going to enjoy that very much and looking forward to Barcelona.”
Hamilton, Button’s predecessor as world champion, had complained about the team’s strategy for him in Australia but took responsibility for his own call on Sunday.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh was quick to compliment both Button and Hamilton.
“It was a fantastic drive by both drivers,” he said. “Obviously different strategies but they both did a fantastic job. They ran the race just great.
“I think they both made decisions. In these sorts of conditions you’ve got to play. Lewis had a fantastic race again, so many overtaking moves … I think we played the right strategy for both cars.” – Reuters