Video: Especial Interview with 6 WDC CCTV 5 at Chinese GP 2012

Interview with Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel from CCTV 5



Source: AnneCarvalho78

Video: Press Conference with Top three drivers at Australian GP 2012

Jenson Button won the opening Grand Prix of the 2012 season in Australia, with his McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton in third, and Sebastian Vettel in second



Source: SeventyBuckss

Schumacher, Alonso, Hamilton, Button, Vettel, Räikkönen. A straight flush and a joker on top of that

Kimi Räikkönen's comeback to the 'real work', F1, has been the biggest news before the season has begun. They have speculated over the backgrounds, weighed the test results, tried to dig inside Räikkönen's head. With no success.

Räikkönen himself tells that he came back to the F1-business because he had missed it. It sounds odd at first, because during his last couple of years in Ferrari the disgust and fatigue with everything the genre offered was shining from his face.

However rallying in a small car with only the clock as the opponent for two years got Räikkönen fed up. He told earlier this spring that he has missed 'real racing', driving on track man to man, and now it's offered to him.

Räikkönen still doesn't care for the PR-things and other cackle that comes with the sport.

'Neither does any other driver either. Everyone of us only wants to race', Räikkönen said in February to reporters.

When the information of Räikkönen's will to come back were confirmed, they were taking him starting from Red Bull to all other top teams. Finally he joined Lotus.

They were astonished over his choice. They didn't think that the French team that had dropped in the midfield would be any dream working place.

Testing in Jerez and Barcelona however changed the tune in the bell. Although the test results aren't comparable the performance ability and reliability of Lotus has surprised. The car has been both reliable and fast.

Australia will be the real thing. If it goes well in Melbourne, then the co-existance of Räikkönen and Lotus will get a lot more easier. If the car is not good for racing, then we can expect some wrinkles in love.

Räikkönen gets visibly nervous when someone says the word 'motivation' around him. Everybody notices how the safety clicks.

Yet the truth is that Räikkönen doesn't get fired up over lower positions. This has been taken in account when making the Lotus-contract.

According to Autosport the contract has a clause which justifies ending the contract if Lotus doesn't get into top 8.

Räikkönen also doesn't have to drive with a community effort. He gets 8-12 million euros per season which will substantially slow down poverty.

Although a driver, who so far has earned about 200 million euros isn't in any need for pocket change, it still is expensive to live like Räikkönen lives. It costs to keep up several luxurious houses, flying with a private jet and keeping the armada of cars swallows money like a F1-car swallows fuel.

By Vesa Kovanen
Courtesy: Nicole

Video: BBC - Indian GP - F1 drivers on safety in motorpsort

Formula 1 drivers discuss the issue of safety in motorsport following the tragic deaths of British IndyCar racer Dan Wheldon and MotoGP's Marco Simoncelli.

Wheldon was killed in Las Vegas two weeks ago following a 15-car crash, while Italian rider Simoncelli died last weekend after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang



Source: SixtyBuckss

Practice One: Top five battle it out at Italian GP

It was a battle of the big five in Italy as the top five drivers in the standings fought over the top positions on the timesheets

Championship leader Sebastian Vettel was the first of the front runners to claim the P1 slot but lost out to Lewis Hamilton.

Behind the McLaren driver, Vettel, Mark Webber, Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso tussled for second place, which changed hands several times.

But in the end it was Button who was the closest to matching his team-mate, finishing 0.921s adrift of Hamilton's 1:23.865.

Vettel was third quickest, 1.366s off the pace, while Webber was fourth. Alonso, stuck in the pits after cutting one of his tyres, dropped to seventh behind Adrian Sutil and Vitaly Petrov.

Report: With the sun shining down on the Monza racetrack, Practice One got underway. Heikki Kovalainen led the field out for the standard installation laps while Jerome D'Ambrosio, driving a heavily revised Virgin MVR02, put the first time on the board, a 1:43.577.

Daniel Ricciardo, Nico Hulkenberg and Jaime Alguersuari each had a turn in the P1 slot, lowering the benchmark to a 1:27.224 before the big guns came out to play. Sebastian Vettel hit the front with a 1:26.381 with Felipe Massa third, Mark Webber fifth and Fernando Alonso 13th.

Problems for Sebastien Buemi, who ran off at the the Ascari chicane, sliding through the gravel trap before working his way back onto the track. Karun Chandhok returned to the action after an earlier electronic problem sent him into the pits.

It soon became a battle of the big boys with the top five in the Championship occupying the top five positions on the timesheets. Vettel lowered the benchmark and Lewis Hamilton took second before overhauling the German. Webber went second ahead of his team-mate, Alonso took fourth, Hamilton bettered his time and Button made it a McLaren 1-2.

Michael Schumacher, down in 17th place, one position ahead of his team-mate Nico Rosberg, joined the list of those running off the track as took to the gravel at Parabolica. Meanwhile, Heikki Kovalainen parked his Team Lotus car on the side of the track having reported a gearbox problem.

Vitaly Petrov was the first to mix it up with the leading five, overhauling Alonso, who did not venture back out as a cut was found on the left rear tyre allocated for the morning session. Hulkenberg put his Force India up into seventh place ahead of Massa and Kamui Kobayashi. Vettel split the two McLarens and D'Ambrosio called it quits with an engine issue.

There was plenty of action in the final ten minutes with drivers putting in their final runs. Button moved up to second place, Hamilton improved his P1 time, Adrian Sutil claimed fifth place and Sergio Perez put his Sauber up into eighth.

Times
01. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:23.865 18 laps
02. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:24.786 + 0.921 19 laps
03. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:25.231 + 1.366 25 laps
04. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:25.459 + 1.594 24 laps
05. Adrian Sutil Force India-Mercedes 1:26.550 + 2.685 23 laps
06. Vitaly Petrov Renault 1:26.625 + 2.760 20 laps
07. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:26.647 + 2.782 20 laps
08. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:26.676 + 2.811 24 laps
09. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.694 + 2.829 28 laps
10. Jaime Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:26.696 + 2.831 15 laps
11. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:26.699 + 2.834 21 laps
12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1:26.826 + 2.961 21 laps
13. Rubens Barrichello Williams-Cosworth 1:26.836 + 2.971 25 laps
14. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:26.996 + 3.131 29 laps
15. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Cosworth 1:27.365 + 3.500 25 laps
16. Bruno Senna Renault 1:27.385 + 3.520 23 laps
17. Sebastien Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:27.433 + 3.568 25 laps
18. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:27.492 + 3.627 24 laps
19. Heikki Kovalainen Lotus-Renault 1:29.539 + 5.674 10 laps
20. Karun Chandhok Lotus-Renault 1:30.148 + 6.283 19 laps
21. Daniel Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth 1:30.609 + 6.744 27 laps
22. Tonio Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth 1:30.619 + 6.754 24 laps
23. Timo Glock Virgin-Cosworth 1:31.052 + 7.187 12 laps
24. Jerome D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth 1:31.899 + 8.034 22 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Video: BBC - Hungarian GP - Press Conference Top three drivers

McLaren's Jenson Button gives his reaction after victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

Button's second victory of the 2011 season comes on the occasion of his 200th grand prix.



Source: SixtyBuckss

No reason to panic, says McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says there is "no reason to panic" as McLaren target a return to form at the German Grand Prix

Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button are both 95 points behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with 10 races to go.

But Hamilton believes the decision to postpone the ban on using exhaust gasses to enhance downforce will benefit McLaren.

"We are back to what we know and our race pace has been pretty quick all year," said the 2008 world champion.

Button added: "We can be on good form here and challenge the Red Bulls and Ferrari."

Before Fernando Alonso's win for Ferrari in the last race, at Silverstone, Hamilton and Button were the only drivers to deny Vettel victory this season.

But the decision by governing body the FIA to restrict the use of exhaust gasses to generate downforce had a major impact on McLaren's competitiveness at the British Grand Prix.

Teams have been using so-called off-throttle blowing of the diffuser to flow gasses over the rear floor of the car even when the driver is not pressing the accelerator.

After intense debate, the ban has now been postponed until the 2012 season and both Hamilton and Button are confident that will help them regain lost ground on their rivals at the Nurburgring.

"At Silverstone we were further behind because we were hampered by the rule change," added Hamilton. "It benefited others but didn't benefit us at all."

Button agreed, saying: "We're probably doing a better job with our diffuser than some of the other teams so when they take away the blowing it hurts us a lot, having that back should help us.

"I don't think we're scared of anyone this weekend - I don't think anyone has a big advantage over us.

"We have some updates and we're going back to the old regulations. I'm looking forward to this race."

Button and Hamilton have not been on the podium in the last two races, at Silverstone and Valencia.

While Button took a thrilling victory in Canada last month, Hamilton, who won in China, has to look as far back as early May for his last podium when he was second in the Spanish Grand Prix.

"I'm praying we are as competitive as we were in Barcelona," Hamilton said.

"I hope our car works like a dream this weekend, I'd love to have another win."

Button was forced to retire from the British GP at his final pit-stop when he tried to rejoin the race without a wheel nut on his right front wheel.

The 2009 world champion said he has since visited the "wheel nut department" at McLaren's factory in Woking and described the atmosphere as good, despite a difficult weekend on home soil.

"It was just a mistake and it lost us a lot of points," Button reflected. "It's amazing what one non-finish makes. I went from second to being fifth in the championship.

"We just have to make sure we don't do that again because the last two races have been pretty tough for us in terms of points.

"We are taking it race-by-race and we come here with some good upgrades. I hope we can really fight the other guys and take some good points off Sebastian [Vettel]."

Grey clouds loomed over the Nurburgring in the Eifel mountains on Thursday and a burst of heavy rain saw both McLaren drivers, despite being known for their wet-weather skills, still hoping the miserable conditions would not prevail all weekend.

"Can you sort the weather out, it's rubbish," commented Button. "I like it in the middle, wet, dry, wet, dry."

Hamilton agreed: "I'd like it to be dry but I also quite like changeable conditions."

The drivers will reacquaint themselves with the Nurburgring, which returns to the calendar after Hockenheim hosted the German GP in 2010, during Friday practice.

Source: BBC Sport

McLaren's tech guru talks on Räikkönen's communication skills!

Indy Lall, the man who joined McLaren already back in the 1980s, is currently in the Moscow City Racing event with the team in Moscow, Russia. Lall, who worked among other things as Alain Prost's chief mechanic, and currently is the head of McLaren's technical team has worked with several top drivers including Kimi Räikkönen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

The media pressed Lall as to who he feels is the best of the former and present drivers in terms of working with the engineers -- in other words, who has managed analyse the behaviour of the car best to help the engineers improve it.

- Good question! In my opinion Fernando Alonso worked really well -- same goes for Lewis. But I think the best of all has been Jenson, he is very good. As for former drivers, Ayrton Senna was exceptional, as was Alain Prost. So the best of the previous generation were Ayrton and Alain while Jenson is best of the present ones.

Räikkönen on the other had a slightly "different" assessment from Lall.

- Kimi had a good sense of the car. But he is a shy person, and some times had problems explaining. He could express his thoughts, but wasn't very detailed, Lall spoke on Räikkönen on championat.ru website.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

Massa unfazed by exit rumours

Felipe Massa will not let speculation over his future prevent him from aiming to produce a vintage Ferrari performance in the British GP

The 30-year-old Brazilian has been with the Italian team - with whom he was a test driver eight years ago - since 2006, and showed great promise when finishing third in his first season and then second in the 2008 Drivers' Championship.

Nevertheless, reports persist that Massa is set to be replaced, with McLaren's Jenson Button a possible target.

Massa, though, as the man currently in possession of one of the sport's glamour drives, has never given the idea a second thought.

"When you drive for a top team like Ferrari, you always have the pressure," said Massa, who was in Knightsbridge, Londony to officially open Ferrari's latest Atelier at prestigious 5-star luxury hotel The Berkeley, managed by HR Owen, where clients will be invited to personally tailor their Ferrari.

"It is a team which many people are watching and supporting, so it is normal that you have more pressure - but I think most of the drivers would like to have this kind of pressure, to be racing for Ferrari, so that is a good pressure."

Despite there being plenty of home focus from British Formula One fans this weekend, Massa maintains Ferrari always look forward to their visit.

"Silverstone is a great track, and one of the most famous races," he said.

"We really enjoy to come here. Even if there are some British teams, people really support Ferrari.

"Maybe we will see some showers around, but hopefully we can have a good weekend and be competitive."

Massa has now recovered from what was a serious crash suffered at the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, after which he needed a titanium plate inserted into his skull to race again.

The South American believes that incident helped put everything else into perspective.

He said: "It has not affected me from a driving point of view, because you try to go to the limit, sometimes past.

"Outside, in my life, it has made me appreciate and respect things even more."

Massa thrilled the crowds with victories at Interlagos in 2006 - the first Brazilian to do so since the late Ayrton Senna in 1993 - and again in 2008.

The Ferrari driver feels both Button and Lewis Hamilton can use the hype which is about to engulf the Northamptonshire circuit to their own advantage.

"It is always good to race at home. You have a lot more pressure, but are also pushed more from the people around," he said.

"Whenever I go to Brazil, it is great. The people are very warm, really expecting you to be fighting, so for me it is always exciting to be racing at home."

Massa rejected suggestions Sebastian Vettel's dominance for Red Bull meant the 2011 Drivers' Championship was already a foregone conclusion.

"He has a big difference, but we will not give up. We will fight," said Massa, currently in sixth place - more than 100 points off the pace.

"Sebastian had a great Championship until now, so we will try our best to be in front of him and the other drivers as well.

"We never give up and are always pushing our car race by race to be in front."

Source: Planet-F1

McLaren boss comments on rumors about Hamilton, Button!

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh won't have any of the rumors suggesting that his current drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button might be seeking greener pastures at other teams. Whitmarsh believes both of the drivers are happy at McLaren.

- As a general statement we've got two great drivers in the team and I think they enjoy being in this team. They both want to win and I think we've seen them racing each other and other cars to prove that. We'll talk about the future with them when the time comes, but at the moment we're not planning on a different driver line-up, Whitmarsh insists on ESPNf1.

- I think ultimately Lewis will decide where he's going, but I think he enjoys being in this team. Lewis as a top driver will be linked to any team that the media think can afford him or satisfy his expectations. I don't pay too much attention to what's written in the media, in my experience it hasn't been a good guide to what is really happening in driver negotiations.

Recently Lewis Hamilton has been linked to Red Bull, as he allegedly had a chat with Red Bull's team principal during the Canadian GP in Montréal.

Source: RacingNewsFlash

Manager Robertson enjoys fully the F1-entertainment

Kimi Räikkönen's ex-manager Steve Robertson was a familiar sight in F1-races for decades. He worked together with his father David Robertson, first with Jenson Button and later on as Kimi Räikkönen's manager.

Although we haven't seen the Robertsons on the F1-paddock anymore, the current Grand Prix -entertainment carries the men away genuinely.
– F1 is once again a completely fantastic formula. Some puritans think that they have made it more artificial racing with the DRS-system but the truth is that these days each race is the best entertainment. Even Monaco offered the most entertaining race ever, Steve Robertson praises.

– Whoever came up with this rear wing -system earns the most genuine praises. Of course part of the honor goes to the tyre-department too. The F1-car has maintained it's undisputable speed and at the same time it is even more competitive. A full 10 points to those who made the decisions!

Robertson assured that Button's performance was blazing but he reminded that McLaren's British star is at his best in difficult conditions like these.

– When you think about Jenson's best races, almost every victory has been won during wet circumstances. Jenson is one of the best race drivers on a slippery track. He has his own genuine driving style and we saw the most visible example of how good he is on a wet and semi-wet track in Canada.

– Sebastian Vettel would have won this race too if it weren't for the safety cars. It's easy to say afterwards that he should have squeezed more right after the SC-situation was over. Once Jenson got close it was already too late.

– I'm sure frustration took the better over Hamilton's patience and he tried to overtake immediately when he got the slightest chance. Lewis is a fiery driver so when he badly needed a good result these things just happen, Robertson understood.

– It was clearly Michael's best racing performance after his comeback. He was able to use all his experience to his advantage on that track he has won so often on, and also his knowledge of those circumstances. Michael would have deserved a podium without a doubt but unfortunately Merc's car wasn't good enough.

How would the current wing-system and tyres have suited Kimi Räikkönen?

– Kimi was one of the most genuine overtakers already before this wing- and tyre-development. All Kimi needed was half of a chance to overtake and he was immediately ahead. That is Kimi's greatest strenght - his ability to visualize when overtaking. Kimi wasn't much stuck behind someone if he could challenge even a little.

– On top of that Kimi is one of the most cleanest overtakers. He handled very clinically nine overtakes out of ten.

– This rear wing would have suited Kimi brilliantly without a doubt. When overtaking is made easier this way, he would really be in his own element on the track, Robertson assured.

Turun Sanomat

HEIKKI KULTA

Courtesy: Nicole

Hamilton determined to 'attack' Valencia

Lewis Hamilton has vowed to retain his attacking style in a bid to bring his bad luck to an end at next weekend's European GP

Hamilton has conceded his frustration following the last two races in Monaco and Montreal after becoming embroiled in a number of incidents.

The most high profile of those saw Hamilton collide with McLaren team-mate Jenson Button in Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, forcing him into the wall and subsequent retirement with a puncture.

Considerable criticism has followed for Hamilton, although he has also received support, including from Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

Addressing the next situation, Hamilton said: "Those two races were particularly frustrating for me because we showed we had the pace to win both of them, yet I only came away with eight points.

"For me, Valencia will now be a weekend of consolidation after two disappointing results in Monaco and Canada.

"I've always gone well at Valencia, finishing second there in every race, and I really enjoy attacking the track.

"It's a difficult circuit with no let-up, but that won't deter me as I'm really keen to get back on track and get back in the points.

"This race will be our third street circuit in a row, so hopefully it'll give me the chance to reverse the bad luck I've encountered in the previous two."

Hamilton knows he should have done better of late, adding: "We've arguably had the fastest race car in the last three races.

"That's really encouraging because I know that, when it's put to best use, I should be able to finish at the front.

"As always, that will be my goal next weekend."

Source: Planet-F1

Video: BBC - Press Conference at Canadian GP - Top three drivers

The top three finishers in an action-packed Canadian Grand Prix - Jenson Button, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber react to a sensational race.

Button won despite colliding with team-mate Lewis Hamilton early on and visiting the pit lane six times in a race that was held up for two hours after torrential rain



Source: Youtube

Video: BBC - Interview with Lewis Hamilton after Canadian GP 2011

Lewis Hamilton reveals his McLaren team told him to retire from the Canadian GP after his collision with team-mate Jenson Button



Source: Youtube

Videos: Interviews with Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button after Qualifying at Chinese GP 2011

Lewis Hamilton says it's going to be "a serious battle" going into Turn One of the Chinese Grand Prix as he qualifies in third place behind McLaren team-mate Jenson Button and Red Bull's championship leader Sebastian Vettel



McLaren's Jenson Button says his team "have done well to wring the best out" of his car as he qualifies second behind Sebastian Vettel for the Chinese Grand Prix, and plays down the fact he has used one more set of tyres than team-mate Lewis Hamilton in third insisting he his happy with his choice of strategy



Source: FiftyBuckss

Räikkönen and NASCAR: What Formula 1 is saying

While Dale Earnhardt Jr. wants Michael Schumacher in NASCAR, he himself dismisses this - Jenson Button believes in Kimi Räikkönen

The NASCAR switch from Kimi Räikkönen, was the major theme of recent days in the United States. The Sprint Cup aces, especially the new leader Kyle Busch, took the imminent arrival of former Formula 1 World Champion very positive. The 31-year-old Finn, who has three test days behind him will give his debut in the NASCAR Truck Series on 20 May in Charlotte.

NASCAR superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking forward to Räikkönen - and has another proposal: "It would be nice if Michael Schumacher would come here and get involved in a trial," Earnhardt suggested on the edge of the NASCAR weekend in Texas. "All of us would really like to see that. Since it would not matter if you think something is right or wrong. All would look at it." But this idea will remain a dream: "I'm not a fan of cars with roof," Schumacher said tersely in Malaysia.

But there are also NASCAR insiders in the current Formula 1 paddock. One who knows exactly what Räikkönen is getting into is Narain Karthikeyan. The Indian driving for HRT Racing did nine truck races last year. He never got into top 10 and was voted at the end of the year – thanks to an international online voting - the most popular truck driver 2010 as a complete surprise.

"It will not be easy for him," warned Karthikeyan. "It is very difficult there. He's clearly a talented driver and he is doing it right. He has looked for a good team and is testing a lot. He has now tested on the Rockingham Speedway, but Charlotte will then open his eyes. It's scary when you chase at full speed through the corners. If you drive all the time over 300 km/h, it is really hard work. But he will be quick there."

Jenson Button showed much understanding: "Kimi seemed to be happy to leave Formula 1. Maybe he wanted to have it more relaxed. He will find that in the states for sure. For drivers who are accustomed to slicks and wings, it is always difficult to drive all of a sudden in the NASCAR oval." Button also doesn’t show any prejudice, "These guys do that all their lives and they are no nose pickers.The change was difficult for many. Juan Pablo has taken a little while, but now he is competitive. I'm sure with Kimi it will be the same. He will prove his talent."

Felipe Massa agrees with Button largely. "I expect that he will not have it easy," said Massa. "It is something completely different and he has to start from scratch. The situation is quite different and a NASCAR is driven differently." Also the Brazilian compares the new situation with Montoya.

"Montoya had a few years his hands full, only now he can fight for the top 10. It is a completely different world. Kimi has certainly a great talent, but there he first has to learn. If he manages to do that, he may succeed in this series. First of all, he will start in a lower class if I have been informed correctly. We'll see. Apart from that of course I wish him all the best."

Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg hasn’t thought about NASCAR. "It does not come to question for me. I don’t think I would enjoy. But if Kimi enjoys it and the races are exciting, it is certainly a great story. So why not?" The 20th May will provide more information when Räikkönen has done his first race on the fast 1.5 miles oval in Charlotte.

Source: Motorsporttotal
courtesy: Miezicat

Video: Press Conference in Malaysian Grand Prix 2011

Sebastian Vettel won the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix. Calling it a great day, the Red Bull racing driver credited the good start for the result. Second place McLaren driver Jenson Button called the 2011 Malaysian GP a confusing race



Source: espnstar

Malaysian GP Press Conference schedule

Felipe Massa and Jenson Button will get an early chance to discuss their opposing views on the DRS when they face the press on Thursday

Thursday, April 7 - 15h00:

Sébastien Buemi (Toro Rosso)
Jenson Button (McLaren)
Felipe Massa (Ferrari)
Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)
Jarno Trulli (Lotus)

Friday, April 8 - 16h00:

Eric Boullier (Renault)
Ross Brawn (Mercedes)
Paul Hembery (Pirelli)
Christian Horner (Red Bull)
Monisha Kaltenborn (Sauber)
Colin Kolles (HRT)

Saturday, April 9 - post qualifying:

Three fastest drivers from qualifying.

Sunday, April 10 - post race:

First three finishing drivers.

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton denies team-mate fall-out is looming

Lewis Hamilton has downplayed concerns that McLaren could be in for a rough season should their MP4-26 move to the front of the pack

Despite having two World Champions on the payroll in Hamilton and Jenson Button, last season proved to be a harmonious one for McLaren.

Many believe this was because the McLaren drivers were not regularly squabbling over race wins while Button's quest was further undone by his poor qualifying performances.

But should McLaren's new MP4-26 prove to be a regular race winner, F1 commentator Martin Brundle reckons the duo will soon find themselves fighting on the track - and off it.

Hamilton, though, is adamant himself and Button can avoid the pitfalls that befell Red Bull rivals Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber when they were fighting each other for race wins in 2010.

"We're both racers, but we're both sensible," the 2008 World Champ told the official F1 website.

"We both know that to win in Formula One you need the best equipment. Is there any sense in Jenson and me fighting against each other if it damages our chances of having the fastest car?

"As we've said all along, we need to work together to develop our car, move it into the best possible position, and only then can we start thinking about the World Championship. What's the use in battling tooth and nail over 10th place?

"Having said that, Jenson and I also get on very well together - we've both grown up within British motorsport, we've shared a lot of the same experiences and it's brought us to the same point in our lives, driving for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and doing our very best to win the World Championship for ourselves and our team."

As for whether McLaren's MP4-26 will rise to the front, Hamilton insists it's too early to tell.

"Performance is relative. You can pull out all the stops over the winter and still not know what shape you'll be in at the first race.

"All I can say is that every single person within our organisation has been flat out to ensure the car is the best it can be.

"Will that be good enough? We won't know until we get to Bahrain next month."

Source: Planet-F1

In the hands of fans - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes reveal of the MP4-26

Source: vodafone