Button brushes aside Hill's comments

By Phil Huff
March 13 2007

Jenson Button has brushed Damon Hill's recent comments aside, optimistically suggesting that Honda Racing F1 can still lead him to a world title.

"I don't believe Honda will be a championship-winning team this year," Hill said last week. "Therefore, if he wants to be champion, which I believe he does, and he is good enough, he has to have a plan for the next few years."

Jenson was quick to a respond, using a Honda press event in Tokyo to say "It's very easy to say those sorts of things from the outside. He didn't have those comments last season. We were very strong last season and won a race in Hungary which was a first for the team and for myself.

"Last season he was very positive and made some positive comments... that I could be a world champion of the future. Now it's the opposite and it's a little bit negative."

While a title is looking very unlikely this year, Jenson firmly believes the situation will improve, and Honda Racing F1 can reach their goal in time.

"We've got to get our heads down and improve the car," said the Briton, "but I'm very happy with where I am. We are growing as a team all the time. It's a fantastic atmosphere and I think we will be challenging for the world championship in the future.

"I'm very sure of that."