As preparation for the 2012 Formula One season continues, Lewis Hamilton declared to the Gazetta dello Sport that he will do everything he can to ensure his McLaren team-mate Jenson Button, who had the upper hand over Hamilton in 2011, stays behind.
"Jenson is very quick and he's gathered a strong team of technicians around him," the 2008 world champion said. "I'd like to be ahead of him all the times, and I'm not happy if the opposite happens."
Finishing behind a team-mate is a rare sight in Hamilton's career. In his debut year, he finished neck and neck with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. His unexpected performance level pushed the Spaniard to change teams.
In 2008 and 2009, he easily disposed of the Heikki Kovalainen, called in by McLaren following the departure of Alonso. Many were sceptic when the Grove-based team hired Jenson Button, freshly crowned, at the end of '09, and feared two world champions under the same roof.
Hamilton once again prevailed in 2010.
In 2011 however, Button seemed ever more comfortable at McLaren, and finished ahead in the standings. His achievement was praised by the whole paddock.
"Psychologically it's absolutely not a problem," maintains Hamilton.
"Besides, he's an open and cheerful guy who I get along with. It would be nice to fight for the 2012 championship with him: that's just up to McLaren!"
"Jenson is very quick and he's gathered a strong team of technicians around him," the 2008 world champion said. "I'd like to be ahead of him all the times, and I'm not happy if the opposite happens."
Finishing behind a team-mate is a rare sight in Hamilton's career. In his debut year, he finished neck and neck with two-time world champion Fernando Alonso. His unexpected performance level pushed the Spaniard to change teams.
In 2008 and 2009, he easily disposed of the Heikki Kovalainen, called in by McLaren following the departure of Alonso. Many were sceptic when the Grove-based team hired Jenson Button, freshly crowned, at the end of '09, and feared two world champions under the same roof.
Hamilton once again prevailed in 2010.
In 2011 however, Button seemed ever more comfortable at McLaren, and finished ahead in the standings. His achievement was praised by the whole paddock.
"Psychologically it's absolutely not a problem," maintains Hamilton.
"Besides, he's an open and cheerful guy who I get along with. It would be nice to fight for the 2012 championship with him: that's just up to McLaren!"