Button-Hamilton, like Prost-Senna?

At the start of the next season of Formula 1, all of Great Britain trembles with impatience at the future duel between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, the two Britons in the team McLaren-Mercedes. AUTOhebdo is devoting a special report to this subject this week, two British journalists sharing the public's expectations on this emerging rivalry.

For Byron Young of the Daily Mirror, the duel between Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton has every chance of being colorful. Twenty years after the famous rivalry between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, internal competition syndrome could once again haunt McLaren. “ Hamilton is a Senna fan and Button is a Prost fan, confides Byron Young. The most incredible thing is that their riding style reflects their preference. Hamilton is brutal, efficient, fast. Button is calculating, smooth and equally fast. »

For Simon Arron, from Autosport, who also recognizes that this duel has a Prost-Senna feel, the evolution of the regulations could benefit the reigning world champion. “ I think the 2010 regulations might suit Jenson better. He has always been very gentle with his tires and, with the ban on gasoline refueling, the cars will be heavy during the 1st and 2nd stints. »

In addition to the driving style, Simon Arron confides that the rivalry between the two drivers will continue to provide the British press with a fascinating column, particularly for newspapers looking for controversy. “ The British tabloids generally can't stand anyone - they create heroes only to tear them down. It is certain that the national newspapers will watch for the slightest start of an argument while the specialized magazines will be content to expose the facts. »

Find the entire investigation into this “high-risk cohabitation”, which is dissected over 8 pages in AUTOhebdo magazine n°1731 on sale at your newsagent.