Button responds to Mansell's 'F1 Mickey Mouse'

Jenson Button believes there is room for improvement in Formula One – although does not share Nigel Mansell’s view that it has become “Mickey Mouse”.

The 1992 world champion launched a scathing attack on the state of the sport, believing it has lost its way, in particular after witnessing the fiasco that unfolded at the United States Grand Prix last month.

Mansell believes the powers that be have made it a turn-off by constantly tinkering with the rules.

Button feels Mansell’s comments go too far and said: “He has his own views, and I’m sure some of them are right, but it’s no use looking at it like that.

“There is room for improvement, but we need to work together to do that. It’s no use pointing fingers at anyone.

“I can be negative about Formula One, but a lot of people I know think it is great watching it this year.”

Mansell had said: “I think I am exceedingly more disappointed than ever this year. I think F1 has brought itself into disrepute.

“It is a great shame for the sponsors, the team owners and manufacturers. They deserve better, and if they don’t, then the fans do.

“I also think what happened in America was an outrage, a disgrace, and it should not have happened.

“At the end of the day, you and I know in half an hour we could write a better set of rules and I don’t care who this upsets.

“What they have done in the last couple of years is rewrite things to try and make it fairer or more interesting.

“But what they have made it is Mickey Mouse. F1 at the moment keeps shooting itself in the foot badly and there is no need. I love it, it is the pinnacle of motorsport and it should behave accordingly. And it isn’t.”