By sportswriter Michael Butterworth
SHANGHAI, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- 2009 Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button says his desire to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans prompted him to join this season's World Endurance Championship.
"It all came about because I wanted to race at Le Mans," the Englishman told Xinhua on Saturday ahead of the 2018 WEC 6 Hours of Shanghai. "Everyone gets very excited about endurance racing and the best race is Le Mans. It's difficult for me because it's new and you race at night. For me, that's the most difficult aspect of long-distance racing."
Button's first attempt at the legendary 24-hour race earlier this year ended in disappointment, when he retired with engine problems in his SMP Racing entry. Having raced for 17 seasons in Formula 1, the 38-year-old discussed some of the key differences between single-seaters and the WEC.
"There's compromise in endurance racing, because there's three of us driving the car [in different stints]. We tried a throttle pedal that I really liked, but the other guys didn't, so we didn't use it. But all three of us have similar backgrounds in terms of what we've driven, which helps. With the things we're changing, I feel I'll have a lot more confidence in the car."
In addition to driving in the 2018-19 WEC, Button also won this year's Super GT championship at his first attempt, and highlighted the unique challenge the Japan-based series represented.
"It's super competitive. You've got 15 of the top category cars who could all win every race, and initially I found it so difficult to get my head round the category, with so many things to learn. I wasn't up to speed at the first race, maybe not even the second race. So I worked so hard through the season to make sure I was on it, and I felt that I did a really good job."
However, while his former F1 teammate Fernando Alonso is combining his 2018-19 WEC program with a drive in next year's Indy 500, Button says he has no desire to try his hand at open-wheel racing in the United States, citing concerns over the level of safety in the IndyCar series.
"I'm not a big fan of Indy. If there were street circuits, maybe, but ovals don't interest me. Going to Indy would be a step back in terms of safety. I've achieved so much in my career and I don't want to be fearful every time I get in a racing car. The guys that race there are brave and very talented, but it's not for me."
Despite having left Formula 1 at the end of 2016, Button still follows the series when time allows, and offered his thoughts on a controversial incident in last weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix, when Esteban Ocon was penalized by the race stewards after clashing with race leader Max Verstappen while attempting to unlap himself.
"It's a tricky one. I wouldn't personally try to overtake in a place like that if I was unlapping myself and he was the leader. But Max is usually very aware of what's going on and he should have been aware of where Ocon's car was. You can't blame just one driver."
Button was one of F1's youngest ever drivers when he debuted in 2000 with the Williams team, and the 15-time Grand Prix winner was full of praise for F1's young stars of today.
"There's a lot of talent in F1. Charles Leclerc has had a positive first year, and Ferrari have seen that and given him the opportunity for 2019. I think Esteban Ocon is a very good driver, one for the future. Pierre Gasly is also interesting in the Red Bull."
The Englishman added, "There's a lot of drivers that are stepping up to a top team next year, so it's always fun to see how they compare to their more experienced teammates. There's going to be pressure on Max Verstappen's shoulders and pressure on Sebastian Vettel's shoulders, which is what you want."
