Jenson Button is delighted to be travelling to Japan for next weekend’s latest round of the Formula 1 season, with the country continuing to recover from the earthquake, tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster of March.
Off-season, the 2009 World Champion spends more time in Japan than most drivers due to his relationship with girlfriend and Japanese fashion model Jessica Michibata.
“I consider Japan my second home – it’s a place that’s very close to my heart and, obviously, it’s going to be a very emotional experience for me to be racing in Japan for the first time since the events of last March,” says the McLaren driver, who has finished on the podium at the last four races.
“I’m very proud that the Formula 1 World Championship will put Japan on the world’s sporting stage next weekend, while the country is still collectively rebuilding itself; I’m deeply aware that sport can play a significant role in helping to restore hope and normality to communities that were torn apart by the earthquake and tsunami.
“I think it will be a great race for everyone. In the last few races, I think we’ve shown that we have extremely good pace and that we’ve been the team most able to take the fight to Red Bull. On paper, I think it’s a circuit that will suit the Red Bulls, particularly in the high-speed sweeps that make up the first sector of the track, but I certainly don’t think people should under-estimate our package.”
The Frome man also has much confidence in McLaren’s package, despite Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull having won at Suzuka for the past two years.
“We showed at Spa that we have a car that’s very effective in high-speed corners,” Button continues. “We’ve also improved our straight-line speed and we have a more efficient rear wing for qualifying, so I think we’re feeling positive about the weekend.
“For everyone who follows Formula 1, I hope we can put on a great race to bring further strength to the people of Japan. And to everyone in Japan, I say: ganbatte!”
After Sunday night’s Singapore Grand Prix, Button is the only driver who can prevent the aforementioned Vettel from becoming a double World Champion; in order to do so, the Englishman must win the remaining five races with the German outside the top ten on all occasions.
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