Jenson Button, former Formula 1 world champion and ex-teammate of Lewis Hamilton, has disclosed that the two have not communicated in several years. Button entered the F1 scene in 2007 with McLaren and stayed with the Woking-based team until 2012. During this time, Hamilton initially partnered with Fernando Alonso and Heikki Kovalainen before Button joined in 2010.
For three seasons, Hamilton and Button raced as teammates, with Hamilton securing the championship twice before his move to Mercedes at the close of 2012. Button retired from full-time racing at the end of 2016 and briefly appeared in 2017 before transitioning to commentary and other racing formats.
In an interview with influencer Bella James, Button was asked about his closest contact in his phone book, responding:
“Lewis but he’s probably changed his number, we’ve not spoken in years.”
This admission highlights the long silence between the two former teammates despite their British heritage and shared years at McLaren.
Button’s View on Hamilton’s Changing Persona and Current Challenges
Following the Miami Grand Prix in 2025, Button elaborated on Hamilton’s evolution as both a driver and person in a Sky Sports interview. He contrasted Hamilton’s former intense and fast-reacting nature with his current calmer and more composed demeanor.
“Lewis is a different character now than he was when we were teammates. If he was deflated, the next day he was out and on it and on super fast. Now, he’s much more of a calm personality; he’s much more of a rounded character. I think it is starting to hurt him a little bit, constantly being slower than his teammate. That’s not how Lewis Hamilton is built.”
Button’s observations come amid Hamilton’s ongoing struggles to match the pace of his current Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver leads Hamilton in championship points during the 2025 season, reflecting a challenging phase for the seven-time world champion at Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton’s Efforts to Influence Ferrari’s 2026 Car Design
Amid his difficulties on track, Lewis Hamilton has been actively involved behind the scenes to shape the development of Ferrari’s 2026 car. Speaking at Silverstone with Sky Sports, Hamilton acknowledged that he is collaborating closely with technical director Loic Serra and the factory team to incorporate his preferences into the upcoming model.
“It’s still tough. It’s a tough balance to drive, and it’s not a comfortable one. It’s not one that I want to have in the future. So I’m working with Loic (Serra) and all the guys at the factory to make sure that the next car will have some of my DNA, and hopefully we’ll be able to get some of the characteristics that I’m hoping to have in it next year.”
Hamilton’s contract with Ferrari runs through the end of the 2026 season, with an option to extend for an additional year. His active involvement in development signals his determination to improve performance and regain a competitive edge.
The Impact of Team Dynamics on Hamilton’s Current Season
The strained relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button, paired with the increasing gap in pace between Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, reflects deeper shifts in Hamilton’s career trajectory. As a former dominant figure in Formula 1, this period of struggle may represent one of his most challenging moments, both professionally and personally.
Hamilton’s efforts to influence next year’s car suggest a strategic approach to overcoming his present difficulties. Meanwhile, Button’s candid remarks expose the cooling of a once close connection, emphasizing how much has changed since their days racing together at McLaren.
How Hamilton adapts to these challenges will be closely watched by fans and analysts, particularly as the 2026 season—and the new car development—approaches.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Lewis Hamilton quit?
A. Reports suggest that Hamilton decided to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari because Ferrari provided him with a longer contract and a higher salary.
Q. Why did Lewis Hamilton leave?
A. Hamilton supposedly moved from Mercedes to Ferrari because they proposed a longer contract and higher salary. Additionally, he hadn’t won any races in 2022 or 2023, and he wanted to boost his career with a fresh start at a new team.
Q. Why is Lewis Hamilton struggling?
A. Hamilton appears to have had more difficulty with the new ground effect cars introduced in 2022. After the race in Jeddah, when asked about changes for next year, he said he wasn’t focusing on that yet. However, he did express a hope for less ground effect.
Q. What disabilities does Lewis Hamilton have?
A. The 35-year-old Formula One driver shared that he learned he had a learning disorder at the age of 17. This disorder impacts reading and certain brain functions related to language processing.