Jenson Button backs under fire McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh

Jenson Button backs Whitmarsh for a better performance in the season ahead

2009 World F1 champion, Jenson Button, has voiced his support for McLaren boss, Martin Whitmarsh, stating that he can turn around the fortunes of the McLaren cars in the upcoming races.

With the McLaren F1 team currently languishing sixth in the constructor’s championships, they head to the Silverstone circuit on the back of a poor start to the season, with both the drivers failing to finish in the top five so far.

The eight-time constructor champions witnessed their worst race at Montreal, when both the drivers failed to qualify for the Q3. That was the first such instance in 65 races for McLaren.

Whitmarsh, on the basis of McLaren’s poor run has fallen out of favour among media as well as fans, but the senior driver of the team, Jenson Button, has given his full support for his under-fire boss.

Asked by Sky Sports News during an appearance at Silverstone if everyone at Working remained united behind Whitmarsh, Button replied: “As far as I know everyone’s united, yes.

“Martin’s a really good leader and he’s a proper human being as well. He’s a guy that you can trust, you can believe in. I feel that everyone at the factory, all the people I speak to when I’m there feel exactly the same.

“It’s so difficult for a Team Principal when a team that normally wins Grands Prix suddenly isn’t winning anymore, but I think he is the best leader to bring us through this difficult time.”

Meanwhile, Button is hoping for a better show in front of his home crowd.

“Hopefully, we can see improvements,” he said. “The last race for us was a very, very difficult weekend but, yes, I feel there are some improvements in the pipeline and we can see ourselves fighting for a better result.

“Fighting for a win is going to be very difficult for here, and I know that’s what the British fans want, but I don’t think we’re going to be able to give them that. But we’re going to do the best job we can and fight for as many points as we can, so you never know what the end result can be.”

He added that the track in Silverstone circuit’s nature would aid the team’s quest for improved performance.

“This circuit is a very different circuit to the last race. It’s a lot smoother, it’s a lot faster, it’s a lot more flowing and it does suit our car a lot more,” the 2009 World Champion added.

“We don’t know what the weather’s going to do, I hope it’s going to be dry for the fans and for us after looking at our experiences of Canada.”

Source: Skysports