There is an increasing feeling in the F1 paddock that Jenson Button is taking up the mantle as McLaren’s team leader.<\/p>\n
When the 2009 world champion joined the famous British team last year, many observers likened becoming Lewis Hamilton’s new teammate to stepping into the “lion’s den”.<\/p>\n
But Hamilton has had a troubled 2011, with Button nine points ahead of his countryman in the points standings.<\/p>\n
Button is quoted by the Telegraph as claiming he is driving better now than he did when he won the title at Brawn in 2009.<\/p>\n
“It is to do with confidence after winning the world championship,” said the 31-year-old, “feeling the team around me and being in a good place off the circuit.<\/p>\n
“I took my engineers and mechanics out for dinner on Saturday night in Italy.\u00a0 It is not for a competitive edge over Lewis’s side of the garage, it was to pay them back for all the hard work they have done,” he added.<\/p>\n
Button also said he is playing a solid role in the development of McLaren’s 2012 car, “and they are really listening to what I have to say”.<\/p>\n
“Every time I drive the simulator we test something that I specifically want.<\/p>\n
“I don’t think I am having more of a say but I think they are listening more, which is nice,” he added.<\/p>\n
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