Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button had a frosty relationship as McLaren team-mates (Picture: Getty)

Jenson Button believes life at McLaren is already very different now that former team-mate Lewis Hamilton has moved to Mercedes.

Button has a new partner in Sergio Perez, and revealed he was starting to develop a closer working relationship with the Mexican than he previously enjoyed with Hamilton.

‘It is different,’ said Button. ‘I’ve seen Checo [Perez] around the place a lot, which has been good.

‘When Lewis and myself were here together we never used to see each other.


‘It used to be one day in the simulator and out the other.’

Jenson Button is enjoying his new partnership with Sergio Perez (Picture: Getty)

Button believes if he is to win a second world title then fostering his relationship with his new partner, particularly over the 12 days of testing which will begin in Jerez next Tuesday, is vital.



‘We have to make sure we work well together so I can really understand if he makes a change to the car, whether it’s a positive or a negative,’ he said.

‘Being limited to only 12 days in total, I need to work closely with Sergio, probably closer than I’ve ever worked with a team-mate.’