Jenson Button says he’s a stronger man for the struggles he’s had with his pig of a Honda RA107 (also known as The Car That Cannot Win Sponsors) this year.
In an interview with Autosport the man formerly known as Britain’s favourite racing driver is definitely taking the positives from a season that saw both him and team-mate Rubens Barrichello punching way below their collective weight, to the extent of nearly being outclassed by their own B-team, Super Aguri.
He said that he’s determined to view this year’s “nightmare season” as a learning experience. And he feels that he’s a better driver – and a better team player – for the ordeal that he’s had.
Button said he is confident that the team could come up with a superior package for 2008 and that he was looking forward to getting his hands on a better car.
He added: “It’s nice that it’s over and we can put it behind us… it’s also good to have a year like this — you don’t just learn from the mistakes you made but as a team you learn if the people you have around you are strong or not.
“We can’t be this bad next year. It’s impossible. And we’ve got to hope we can build a car that’s quick. We’re all working hard at the moment and we’re going to get our heads down and get on with it.”
“Driving such a tough car to start with is tough and you do hone your skills a little bit more. Being at the back, fighting at every race and trying a little bit every race, people do get negative… but you’ve really got to give them a moral boost and really make sure they keep their chins up because if not we’ll stay here and we won’t improve.”
Our view: cut your losses at Honda and pick up the phone to Ron Dennis, mate. Never mind Nico Rosberg, you know it makes sense…