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F1: Michael Schumacher's car designed for me explains Jenson Button

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Khatir Soltani
From GMM

Jenson Button has accepted a portion of the responsibility for Michael Schumacher's lacklustre return to formula one this season.

The reigning world champion said Brawn GP, now Mercedes GP, developed the Brackley based team's 2010 car according to his preference for understeer.

But at the last minute, Jenson Button switched to McLaren, while Mercedes made plans to host Michael Schumacher's comeback at the wheel of the W01 -- a car whose basic characteristics the seven time world champion dislikes.

"Michael likes a very pointy car. But the Mercedes understeers pretty strongly. I was always happy with it that way," the 30-year-old Briton is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild.

But he is not overly apologetic, given that his McLaren move "made it possible for Michael to come back".

Jenson Button thinks the F1 world should not write Schumacher off until his performance in the 2011 car can be seen.

"He will have more influence on the development of the next car. This year (the 2010 car) was quite late for him -- the fundamental characteristics were in place long before his signature," he said.


Khatir Soltani
Khatir Soltani
Automotive expert
  • Over 8 years experience as a car reviewer
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