Button 'shows Schumacher traits'

Championship leader Jenson Button is showing some of the same character traits as Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, says team chief Ross Brawn.

In 2004 Brawn and Button's team-mate Rubens Barrichello were at Ferrari when Schumacher won the first five races. In 2009 Button has won five out of six.

"Rubens has had his occasions when he beat Michael and he was a pretty strong reference," said Brawn.

"The fact Jenson's won these races with Rubens in the team sets the standard."

Brawn said the way Button had handled his latest win in Monaco was reminiscent of seven-time champion Schumacher in his prime.

"There was a bit in the race where Jenson was coming up to a group that were racing each other and we were talking on the pit wall and saying maybe he should ease the pace back a bit and not get mixed up in it," he said.

"And he came on the radio almost simultaneously and said 'Look guys, I don't want to get involved in that, what's going on in front, I'm going to ease back a bit'.

"So he's gaining in that mental capacity to do things as well as driving the car."

Button's 16-point lead over team-mate Barrichello means he is sure to be championship leader for the British Grand Prix at Silverstone on 21 June.

And having already won in Monaco, where he now lives, Button admitted he would get even more satisfaction from racing on his real home soil.

"I always love the British Grand Prix, it's obviously my proper home grand prix," he said.

"Turning up there leading the championship, it's going to be a nice feeling and hopefully I'll put on a good show in front of the home crowd."

Button signed a one-year deal with the Brawn team on considerably reduced terms after the demise of the old Honda team during the close season.

But such has been his instant impact that Brawn chief executive officer Nick Fry is keen to tie him down on a longer-term deal.

"Jenson's been with us a long time, and we've had failures and we've had successes," he said.

"My objective, and our objective, is to have him for the rest of his career, and nothing's changed on that front.

"It's mutual that he would like to stay with the team, and after five race wins, we should be able to get something together."

Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk

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