Highlights

Check your facts, Button tells Ecclestone

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-20 09:29

Briton Jenson Button has told Bernie Ecclestone to get his facts straight after the Formula One supremo suggested the Honda driver needed a change of attitude.

Ecclestone told Britain's The Times newspaper on Wednesday that Button needs to follow the example of Ferrari's seven-times champion Michael Schumacher if he is to fulfil his potential.

"He's got to make his mark. If he does, there is no reason why he can't be a superstar for us. He's got all the qualities in and outside the car," Ecclestone was quoted as saying.

"Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved. 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. I would say 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."

Speaking to reporters at the Brazilian Grand Prix circuit, where Schumacher will race for the last time on Sunday before retirement, Button dismissed Ecclestone's comments as ill-informed.

"You have just got to look at the facts and the statistics, which he hasn't done," said the Briton, who took his first grand prix win in Hungary last August and has scored more points than any driver from that day on.

"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," added Button. "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 and you have to work very hard. Every driver is working hard but people don't see that," he added.

"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 (Ecclestone's comments) couldn't be further from the truth."