F1: Jenson Button welcomes return of Ron Dennis at McLaren

The British driver was talking at the launch of McLaren's new car

John Button celebrates with his son Jenson after he claimed the 2009 Formula 1 drivers' world championship (GETTY IMAGES)

Jenson Button set aside his grief at the loss of his father a fortnight ago to welcome the launch of the new McLaren ahead of winter testing next week.

Button said it had been a difficult period in his personal and professional life but was excited at the return of Ron Dennis, and was looking forward to the season with the appointment of Eric Boullier, who stepped down at Lotus yesterday, as McLaren’s new team principal.  

“It’s been very up and down, but actually I am looking forward to it now. There are good reasons for that. I’m excited about the challenge, and there’s so much for us to learn: How the power unit works and how to use it to our advantage. I’m looking forward to a year in which I’m going to put everything into the sport and leave nothing on the table.”

McLaren endured their worst season in 33 years finishing 2013 fifth in the constructors, 195 points adrift of Lotus in fourth. The raft of changes to engines and aerodynamics has given the cars a new look and provides a window for McLaren to leapfrog back to the front of the grid with Dennis at the helm. “As a team we are very excited about Ron’s role as CEO again. This is a team built by Ron in the early days and he helped it to win multiple world championships.

“We can’t get away from the fact that we had a bad year last year, and we don’t want another one. Of course our aim is to win the world championships for drivers and constructors. And it’ll be a tricky year being the last with Mercedes before the switch to Honda. But we certainly don’t want another year like 2013. That hurt too much.”

“About the reported appointment of Frenchman Boullier, he added: “I wouldn’t have any issues with Eric being French. They don’t pick people here for their nationality.”