Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 24th January

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Button Talks Shop

Jenson Button gets settled in to his new team…

• “There are 70 per cent of athletes or sportsmen that win a world championship, they don’t succeed the following year. I have to try and be positive and think about the 30 per cent that did and work out why they won again. That is something that we never think about going into a season.” Jenson Button
• “I have been working very, very hard all winter on many, many things to do with fitness, mental attitude – and on January 1, I started working on being a McLaren driver. It means a lot to me because my first drive in an F1 car was in a McLaren young driver test after winning the McLaren AUTOSPORT BRDC Award in 1999.” Jenson Button
• “They came to me and said that the tyres were on the limit of being illegal. They were still legal, but they were on the limit. So they took it away and they put new tyres on it for me. It was like going to the Kwik-Fit. How good’s that? Fantastic. And they did a great job with it.” Jenson Button on a visit to the McLaren factory

The Ex-Factor

Ex-F1 drivers, both looking to come back and not…

• “I could’ve been there if I wanted to. A team offered me to be there. I just thought I was sick and tired of all of the stuff over there. I just took a decision of starting a new step in my career and a new challenge in coming to NASCAR.” Nelson Piquet Jr
• “Theoretically the decision about drivers can be made right before the first race in Bahrain in March. Common sense tells us though that it makes sense to have your line-up ready before you go testing, which will be at the beginning of February or mid-February depending on the teams.” Christian Klien
• “I have always been interested in competing in the WRC and, at one point in my career, I’ve been offered this great opportunity by Red Bull. So, why not take it? The doors to F1 are still open.” Kimi Raikkonen

Determined Drivers

They’re starting to focus on the 2010 season…

• “I would not be here if I did not think I still had what it takes. I have a huge amount of motivation. I am a hard worker and I think that is the most important thing at this level…to still have the motivation and hunger to attack, and to work everyday as if it was the last day. So yes, I have what it takes.” Pedro de la Rosa
• “It is funny how things in life go. I could have said after five years of F1 this is a difficult one and I don’t know if I want to do this, but after such a long time I am still very hungry. The dream to become world champion is closer than ever.” Rubens Barrichello
• “It was a perfect way to optimise my form here in Barcelona. I’m really happy that I had this new opportunity to get behind the wheel of a Formula 1 single-seater on a race track. I can’t wait to sit in the new car and get stuck in.” Felipe Massa