Button heads into the new season determined to regain the title he had to concede to Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel last season and he laughs at the idea that, having just turned 31, his attitude to racing at 200mph might change.“No, when I have kids it will change but not yet,” says Button, who is dating model Jessica Michibata. “That’s one reason why I don’t want to have kids while I am racing. It’s not worth the risk.
“Also, you don’t get enough time to spend with them. It hasn’t crept in yet. I will stop when it does. If you start feeling fearful of pushing the car to the limit, you have got to stop. There is no point.”
Button and Lewis Hamilton head to the final F1 test in Barcelona this week before the start of the season in Australia on March 27, both hoping to see improvements in pace and reliability to get closer to Red Bull and Ferrari.
The McLaren car may not be up to the challenge yet but Button dismisses the idea that Vettel will be more ravenous for success because of an eight-year age difference.
“He won’t be any hungrier than I am,” says Button. “I’m as fit as I have ever been. Mentally? We have to make sure we are mentally strong and make sure everyone in the team is focused and positive.”
He won’t rule out Michael Schumacher as a contender either, even though the seven times champion is now 42 years old.
Suggest that Schumacher has lost raw pace and Button says: “I don’t agree with that at all.
“I think he is not happy with the car. Look at NASCAR, where you have guys in their 50s still winning.
“I know it is very different but you need to have a good reaction, a good eye.
“As long as his fitness levels are good – and his are pretty damn good – he is fine.”
Source: EXPRESS.CO.UK
