Button: Verstappen and Hamilton Still Battle Insecurities

Jenson Button believes that even the most accomplished F1 drivers — including Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton — struggle with insecurities. Despite a combined 11 world titles and 176 race wins, Button says self-doubt is a persistent challenge for elite athletes, rooted in the fact that they lose far more often than they win.

Why it matters:

Button’s candid remarks pull back the curtain on the psychological pressures that define Formula 1. Acknowledging that even seven-time champions question themselves underscores the mental resilience required to succeed — and highlights the bravery of drivers like Lando Norris in speaking openly about mental health.

Between the lines:

• Button recounts a moment when Hamilton, after a radio query went unanswered, worried he had done something wrong. That insecurity, Button says, persists regardless of past achievements.
• He sees the same trait in Verstappen, noting that even a dominant champion has moments of doubt.
• Button draws a parallel to Michael Schumacher, whose public confidence masked inner vulnerabilities — a common defense mechanism among top athletes.

The big picture:

Button pointed out his own record: 15 wins in 300 Grands Prix. For every victory, there were many more defeats. That ratio, he argues, is the root of insecurity in any sport. The mental toll of constant comparison and high expectations drives many talented drivers out of F1, not a lack of skill. As more drivers like Norris speak up, the stigma around these conversations is slowly eroding, offering strength to those who struggle.