Brundle: It's too early for Button

The former F1 driver, who is actively involved with the British Drivers' Club, told the The Sunday Express newspaper that he believes the 20-year-old Williams driver is too young to be driving at this level.

Brundle - who like Button also made the leap from Formula 3 to F1 - said: "He is a talented kid with great ability - that is clear just from talking to people who know him.

"However it is too early for him, not just by a season but by two or three years."

Earlier this week Button topped the times during testing at Silverstone and also recently completed tests at Barcelona.

"A year in Formula Ford, a year in Formula 3, do not equip you to handle what Formula 1 throws at you - and a few test drives at Barcelona is no guide," added Brundle.

"It may seem odd that I should argue against Button joining Williams this season when I am heavily involved in helping young British talent through the British Racing Drivers' Club at Silverstone and allowing for the fact that I myself went straight from Formula 3 to Formula 1."

Brundle - who believes this year's title race will be between Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard - added: "I don't want to dwell on this but there is an awful lot of attention on Jenson and I just hope that he gets through it all for the sake of his career and for the lad.

"People say he could not have turned it down but perhaps he should have had that advice. Where is the risk in saying 'no' when you are talented and young."