Button: Hamilton and Verstappen Share Insecurities Despite Combined 11 Titles

Jenson Button believes two of F1's greatest drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, still wrestle with insecurities despite winning 11 Drivers' titles between them. The 2009 world champion says that while a level of insecurity can boost motivation, it can also lead to a "really dark place" — which is why he admires Lando Norris for being open about mental health.

Why it matters:

• This insight reveals that even the most successful drivers are not immune to self-doubt, challenging the perception of invincibility at the top.
• Button’s comments highlight a crucial but often overlooked aspect of elite sport: the psychological pressure that can make or break careers.

Between the lines:

• Speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, Button recalled Hamilton’s radio messages at Ferrari last year: "He asks a question, they don't come back to him, he's like, 'Have I done something wrong?' You're a seven-time world champion. The confidence you should have is out of this world. But insecurities creep in."
• Button noted that drivers forget past achievements and focus on the last session: "'I'm not good enough. I was two-tenths behind my team-mate.'"
• He praised Norris for being outspoken about mental health, calling it a strength.
• On Michael Schumacher, Button said he also had insecurities: "They know they have insecurities, which is the biggest issue because then you never get over those insecurities."
• Verstappen, Button believes, shares similar traits. The root cause? "It comes down to you losing more than you win. I raced in 300 Grands Prix and won 15. So I lost 285 races. Lewis Hamilton has still lost a lot more than he's won."

The big picture:

Button’s reflections underscore the relentless mental grind of F1, where even the greatest must constantly battle doubt. By normalizing these conversations, drivers like Norris are helping to break the stigma around vulnerability.