The Formula 1 world champion has spoken out about the key role team orders surrounding Lewis Hamilton played in potentially costing him major victories.
Jenson Button’s comments come after a thrilling United States Grand Prix on Sunday, where Charles Leclerc cruised to an easy victory ahead of Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz in a surprise result that gave the team its first one-two finish in the United States since 2006.
Max Verstappen edged title rival Lando Norris onto the podium, but only after the McLaren star was handed a controversial five-second time penalty following an incident between the pair in the closing stages.
That result, combined with Verstappen’s sprint win on Saturday, meant the Dutchman left Texas with his championship lead extended to 57 points.
McLaren are creating their own problems It was a disappointing end to the day for Norris, who with five races remaining is running out of time to overtake the three-time champion.
Teammate Oscar Piastri also finished far behind the leaders, finishing fifth ahead of George Russell and Sergio Pérez.
It was enough for McLaren, who replaced Red Bull as the leader earlier this month, to maintain a comfortable lead in the constructors’ standings.
But despite closing in on their first constructors’ title since 1998, things were far from rosy behind the scenes at the British team, with issues over team orders sparking rumours of tensions between the young driver duo.
With team principal Zac Brown refusing to announce who his number one driver was throughout the campaign, they have been criticised for failing to prioritise Norris as he chases a maiden championship, with Piastri’s Hungarian Grand Prix victory sparking much debate.
Speaking after Sunday’s spectacle in Texas, Sky Sports pundit Martin Brundle said team orders had caused McLaren irreparable damage, before asking 2009 world champion Button to discuss his experiences with the team.
Button partnered Hamilton from 2010 to 2012 and admitted the lack of team orders could have hampered their chances of adding more trophies to their collection.
“We had no command orders,” he said. “As soon as we ordered an instruction in the race, it is as soon as we can hold the World Cup, but if the other is not won, you start at the beginning of the year.
You are A driver, you are a B driver. “It’s really difficult, but the most important thing for them is communication and understanding what the issues are before they go racing, that’s the most important thing.”