Jenson Button says having two experienced drivers at McLaren "makes a massive difference", with the team making rapid progress so far this season.
Fernando Alonso joined McLaren from Ferrari at the end of last season, replacing Kevin Magnussen who had just completed his first year in F1. While Button speaks highly of Magnussen, the 2009 world champion says Alonso's experience coupled with his own has helped McLaren improve quickly after starting the year comfortably off the pace.
“Fernando is, as we all know, a very complete driver," Button said. "Fernando is a very fierce competitor in the race and to beat in a race you have to do an exceptional job but that’s what I’m here to do, to do an exceptional job.
"I’ve enjoyed working with Fernando so far this year and I think having two experienced drivers in this team makes a massive difference, especially with Honda because the feedback we give them makes a big difference."
And Button says McLaren's development has been helped by having two drivers ask for similar things from the MP4-30.
“Not saying too much but I think we both seem to like the same car. We develop a car in the same way, we have the same feeling from a car, so it’s good for both of us. We’ll see what happens later this year but so far I’ve really enjoyed it.”
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