Silverstone, Northamptonshire - Former world champion Jenson Button has hit back at his McLaren team chief Ron Dennis with a robust response to suggestions that he needed to try harder.
Button, 34, said he was not somebody who avoided taking responsibility or who gave less than his best for his team.
Dennis had said Button could try harder to outperform his McLaren team-mate, rookie Dane Kevin Magnussen, 21.
Many observers interpreted Dennis's attack on Button as a warning that he needed to up his performance if he hoped to stay at McLaren in 2015.
McLaren is in its worst run of form for 18 years and has not won a race since the end of 2012.
Button said: “I think Ron's practicing to be a motivational speaker, maybe.
“You know when we're in the position we've been in for 18 months it’s not easy. It’s very, very difficult for everybody in the team.
“So, no. I think we all need to work harder as a team.
“We shouldn't be pointing fingers at any individual in the team.”
“We've got ourselves into this situation and we have to fight our way out. I don't do things in half measures. I've the experience in Formula One to know you need to give 100 percent.
“And I always do in the paddock, at the factory, on my phone to the engineers. Everything is 100 percent.”
Dennis had told Sky Sports that Button was “a highly paid Grand Prix driver” and added “Do I want him to try harder? Of course I do.”
AFP