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Button Tells Hamilton to Stay at McLaren

Jenson Button advised teammate Lewis Hamilton to stay with McLaren Mercedes for the long run, rather than risk a move elsewhere and have a “surprise”.

In recent weeks, amid reports that McLaren's MP4-26 isn't quite the title contender this year, some allegations were made about Hamilton's potential move from the Woking based team to Red Bull at the end of next season. After all, the Brit hasn't been served a title-winning car for some time now, and should the situation repeat itself in 2011, his patience might run out.

However, while acknowledging that his own career in F1 will not last as long as Hamilton's, Button told his younger teammate that leaving McLaren might not be the best choice for his future.

Lewis is going to be racing in formula one for a lot longer than I am,” he told British reporters a couple of days before the season opening Australian Grand Prix. “It's his decision but I think he feels very much at home within this team and it might be a surprise going somewhere else.”

It would be a very different environment for him, but I don't think he's thinking like that (about leaving McLaren),” he added.

As far as his own career with McLaren goes, Button's contract with the British team expires at the same time with Hamilton's, meaning at the end of 2012. However, he hopes the deal will be renewed further, as he admits he is looking forward to a lengthly stay at Woking.

I feel very at home here but I haven't thought about that far into the future. I'm racing with one of the best teams in the world. This has to be the best place to be to fight for a world championship. I haven't doubted that. We all go through difficult times and this winter hasn't been perfect for us. But when times are tough people always say it makes you stronger.”
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