Button asks Hamilton to jointly focus on beating Schumacher

London, Jan 8 (ANI): Formula One champion Jenson Button has called on McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton to put aside their personal rivalry and focus on beating legend Michael Schumacher.

Speaking for the first time since joining McLaren, Button warned his predecessor they could both wreck their title chances if they plunge into a personal war for supremacy within the team.

He said that their first target must be to concentrate on making their car the best on the grid, The Mirror reports.

"I'm excited to be working with Lewis because that's exactly what we are going to have to do to be competitive this year. We are going to have to work closely together. And if we build a car that's competitive enough, if the whole team does, we will hopefully be fighting for the championship," said Button.

"It's a hell of a challenge for me coming into a team Lewis has been with for so many years. I wouldn't be doing it if I wasn't confident in my own ability," he said.

Button insisted that he felt no pressure taking on Hamilton, who is being lauded as possibly one of the greatest drivers of all time.

"It doesn't annoy me that a lot of judges say Lewis will get the better of me. Really, it makes life easier because I'm in a much more relaxed position than people telling me I would destroy my team-mate."I'm not one for answering back. Everyone is entitled to their opinion even if I don't agree with it. When I decided to join McLaren, I knew it was never going to be easy but I was excited about it and that's exactly how it is," he said. (ANI)