In an exclusive extract from his new book, Jenson Button delivers his verdict on some of the biggest names he worked with during his time in Formula One.

Ralf Schumacher

I’d been a Formula One driver at Williams for all of 10 seconds - stammering, holding back tears and thinking, I’ve got to tell Mum and Dad - when suddenly Ralf bustled into the room, took up position opposite Frank Williams and pulled his best diva face.

“I’m not coming in tomorrow if the car isn’t waiting for me,” he pouted.

I was thinking: “Bloody hell, you can’t speak to Frank like that.” But Frank’s equilibrium was undisturbed as Ralf continued, giving it the full Mariah Carey.

“I mean it. I mean it, Frank. If the car’s not waiting outside the hotel for me, or if it’s late, I’m not coming in. I’m not going to test.”