Lewis, Whitmarsh welcome Button deal

Editor 05 Oct 2011 2:01 PM

Lewis Hamilton and McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh have welcomed Jenson Button’s decision to extend his contract…

Lewis Hamilton and McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh have welcomed Jenson Button’s decision to extend his contract with the team.

McLaren confirmed on Wednesday that they have re-signed the 2009 World Champion on a new multi-year contract.

Button, who joined the Woking squad from Brawn GP after his title success in 2009, currently lies second in the Drivers’ Championship with 185 points. He has won two races and appeared on the podium on six other occasions.

Hamilton, who is 17 points behind his team-mate in the standings, is delighted that Button will stay and describes him is “a genuine team-player”.

“It’s great news that Jenson has chosen to stay with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes,” Hamilton said.

“Jenson has been a great person to work with, and a genuine team-player, from the moment we welcomed him on board.

“Vodafone McLaren Mercedes is a team with a unique and successful tradition in Formula 1, which I’m proud to be part of.

“It was the best moment of my career when I won the Drivers’ World Championship with this team.

“Jenson and I are as hungry and as ambitious as ever to win races and World Championships in the future.”

Team boss Whitmarsh said: “Jenson is a great driver and a great guy.

“In fact, I can safely say that he’s one of the most capable and respected drivers we’ve ever had, and I’m therefore absolutely delighted that he’ll continue to work with us into the future.

“He’s a considerable credit to this organisation, and I’m proud to be his team principal.

“I feel sure that he’ll now build on the considerable success he’s already achieved with us, and will be even more successful with us in years to come.

“I think he and Lewis say it better than anyone. Their comments show just how much they respect and trust each other, and they once again continue to prove what we as a team have always known: that Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has the very best driver line-up in all of Formula 1.”