Jenson Button shared with F1 news

Drivers are divided after taking their first laps behind the wheel of the new F1 of the 2014 season. If some like Fernando Alonso believe that the differences with older models are not significant, others are more surprised. Jenson Button is more in the second category following his tests in Jerez. 

“I like driving the car”, assures the 2009 world champion who set the best time on the second day of testing in Jerez. “The engine doesn't make as much noise anymore, that's a fact, it's not as exciting from the outside anymore. But it's still nice to hear while driving. We have the sound of the turbo… These changes are rather positive. The power of the engine is also appreciable: it is very torquey and it gives me the impression of being the most powerful engine I have had. This is not the case in terms of numbers, but the rider feels the torque and power at lower speeds. On the other hand, there are no differences at high speed. It is in the turns that it is most impressive, it is in this area where we can progress a lot with the car."

Despite the torque developed by the 6l turbo/hybrid V1.6, the single-seaters are several seconds behind previous models powered by V8s. Fears are growing over a notable lack of performance against lower disciplines such as the GP2 Series which could prove faster than F1. However, Jenson Button believes that the premier category will narrowly retain the advantage. “They will not be slower than the GP2 but it will be much tighter on certain circuits”, admits the Briton. “We will be faster at high speed but the gap will not be huge. I would still like to remind you that these are only the first tests with this new package and that there are a lot of changes compared to last year's regulations. Everyone will be much faster in the first race (March 16 in Melbourne) and we will tackle a new piece on the times. I think we'll be within two seconds of the old times before the end of the year. »