Button fits bill for Honda boss

Honda sporting director Gil de Ferran has lavished praise on Jenson Button, saluting his “unique talent”.

Button has yet to win a race despite 100 grand prix starts, but de Ferran ranks him alongside the likes of world champion Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen as one of the best young drivers around.

De Ferran, a former driver who won the Champ Car title before moving into team management, revealed close contact with Button has given him a new appreciation of his talents.

He said: “I was a casual admirer of his abilities. Now I can see him operating at close quarters and how he deals with the team, I think he is a unique talent. He has all the raw materials to go all the way.

“He has such a fine touch. His driving style is fantastic. From somebody that has driven racing cars, I cannot tell you how difficult it is to drive like Jenson drives.

“It’s difficult to make it look as easy as he makes it look.”