Defending champion Button refuses to throw in towel

Defending F1 world champion Jenson Button may be 42 points behind Fernando Alonso in this year’s title race, but he has no intention of giving up while even the slimmest chance of glory survives.

The 30-year-old Englishman, who joined McLaren after lifting the drivers’ crown with Brawn GP last year, will return to Brazil, where he clinched his title, with nothing less than an amazing turnaround in his sights.

“I’ve always said that I will fight until it’s mathematically impossible,” he confirmed this week, on the eve of the final two races that will decide the outcome of this year’s closely fought champion-ship race.

“Sure, looking at it written down on paper, you’ve got to admit it’s a long shot but I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I chose not to go for it, and then circumstances transpired to give me a full run at the title.

“So, for me, the situation’s the same: I’ll be fighting until it’s no longer possible for me.

“Basically, you learn early on in this sport that it’s not over until it’s over.”

Many observers had expected Button to throw in his title towel and concentrate on supporting McLaren team-mate and fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton after finishing only a disappointing 12th in last Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix.

Instead, the vastly experienced and studious driver has decided to give himself another chance of defending his title by declaring himself a threat to everyone in what promises to be a thrilling Brazilian race.

More than anyone, Button knows that a 42-point deficit is a massive disadvantage when only a maximum of 50 points are available for winning the last two races.

Button also knows he will face a fierce challenge, too, from Hamilton, who is 21 points behind Alonso in the title race.

Hamilton, who finished a fighting second in Korea, believes the pressure is off him, as the man doing the chasing, but intense for the championship leaders Alonso and Mark Webber, of Red Bull.

He said: “I think clearly the pressure is on those guys. We are in a strong position, Fernando is quite a bit ahead, and I could have done with the extra seven points (for winning) but I can still catch them up.

“Korea was a great race, and very exciting for me and I love races like that. It didn’t dry up fully but we made a good pit call, the team did a great job – but we are not quite quick enough at the moment.”