Thaindian News

London, Oct 30(ANI): McLaren Formula One team has said that it would support Jenson Button’s campaign to retain his title despite the reigning champion trailing leader Fernando Alonso by over 40 points.

Button had finished Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix at a disappointing 12th place, which has left him with an almost impossible task to clinch the title.

“While Jenson lies 42 points adrift, he has vowed to fight on. As the reigning world champion, and a great driver, he knows better than most that you can’t lift the title without being a resolute fighter,” the Sun quoted McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh, as saying.

“That’s exactly why we hired him and we’ll be supporting him fully next weekend. If Formula One has taught us one thing over the past couple of seasons, it’s to never give up hope,” he added.

Button had earlier said that he can still win the championship title.

“Sure, looking at it written down on paper, you’ve got to admit it’s a long-shot, but I’d regret it for the rest of my life if I chose not to go for it, and then circumstances transpired to give me a full run at the title,” Button said.

“In Formula One, you just never know. It’s totally possible that I could win at Interlagos, take home maximum points and have none of the other title contenders finish. If it’s another wet race that could easily happen. Basically, you learn early on in this sport that it’s not over until it’s over,” he added.

With two races to go, and a maximum 50 points to be won under the new scoring system, Button (189 points) is 42 points behind Alonso (231 points).

Red Bull’s Mark Webber is at second place with 220 points, while McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton is third with 210 points. (ANI)