Story byMotorsport photoLydia MeeThu, February 12, 2026 at 11:51 PM UTC·2 min readFormer Formula 1 driver Jenson Button has described his time as Lewis Hamilton's team-mate as the new challenge he needed after winning the drivers' championship. Button joined the seven-time champion at McLaren in 2010, and while his former boss Ross Brawn advised against the move to the Woking outfit, the 46-year-old relished the challenge of beating Hamilton in the same machinery. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement"Yes, I was team-mates with Lewis for three years. When I left Brawn in 2009 as a world champion, I was like, 'I need a new challenge,' and that challenge was to go up against Lewis Hamilton," Button told Sky Sports F1."And Ross Brawn even said, 'You're making a mistake.' So then I was in with both feet, and really enjoyed the partnership we had. And I think winning a race and beating Lewis Hamilton in the same car was almost like winning a world championship. Jenson ButtonJenson Button"Didn't happen enough, but it was very special.
