Jenson Button says the winter break will prove vital in his bid to fight for the 2013 Drivers' title, with the McLaren driver hoping to guide the team's new car in his favour. With 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton departing to Mercedes, the 32-year-old is eager to establish his authority at the Woking-based squad.
"I still think we're going to have two drivers that want to win the World Championship, I don't think that changes," Button told Sky Sports ahead of the off-season. "We're all here to do a job and we all think we can win the World Championship. It is different though. Lewis is going to be leaving this team, he's won a World Championship with this team.
"When you're team-mates with Lewis you share the direction of the car, if you like. Whereas now, with Lewis leaving, I have a couple of months to really direct the team into what I would like with the car before Checo (Pérez) arrives.
"That's an important couple of months for me to really feel that I've got a good direction with the car because Sergio is going to be quick and that's good, you need a quick team-mate, and I think he's going to learn very quickly which is very good for him."
Button triumphed in last weekend's rain-hit season finale at Interlagos, taking advantage of an accident between Nico Hülkenberg and Hamilton. During their three seasons as McLaren team-mates, Button scored 672 points to Hamilton's 657.
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