Fry: No Hard Feelings Between Team and Button

Mercedes GP CEO Nick Fry insisted that there are no had feelings between his organization (and him personally) and former employee/reigning world champion Jenson Button. Despite the fact that the 29-year old Brit preferred to take on the challenge of racing alongside Lewis Hamilton at McLaren Mercedes rather than stick with the team that helped him become world champion, Fry insisted that he wishes Button all the well in the world.

“Clearly, I've had some nice chats with Jenson at social functions over the last few days and, contrary to what people might think, there's no hard feelings at all. We wish him all the best. We were disappointed that he left our team, but we've got a nice relationship and we all want to work together in the future,” said Fry in an interview with 422race.com.

He actually revealed that, while disappointed with Button's choice, he can't wait to see how the reigning world champ will do in a team that almost walks and breathes Lewis Hamilton. The fact that Ham is a preferred figure in the McLaren garage is no news to anyone, but Fry believes that Button can master the atmosphere at Woking despite that special McLaren-Lewis bond.

“It's going to be fascinating. I think Jenson has got a difficult task ahead of him, and that's nothing to do with whether he's got the talent. Instead, it has all to do with going into a team where Lewis has been there for a long time and knows it very well,” added Fry.

“(...) Jenson is a brave lad taking that on, but he's got the raw skill to do it. It's a matter of learning how the team works, he's going to have to accelerate himself up the line very quickly,” concluded the Mercedes GP CEO, who might get to work with 7-time world champion Michael Schumacher in the future season of Formula One.

An announcement regarding Button's replacement at Mercedes GP is likely to come in January, according to the latest reports from the Brackley based team.