Button backs Hamilton to impress

While Williams were just starting a new relationship with BMW when they signed Button, McLaren could give Hamilton a race-winning car from the outset.

And Button also reckons that Hamilton's additional pre-F1 experience could help him avoid the problems that often beset newcomers after promising rookie seasons.

"Lewis is very lucky that he's with a team that has a car that's probably capable of winning when they arrive at the first race, so he's in a good position there," Button told BBC Radio Five.

"It's the years after when maybe the car's not so competitive, that's when it's tough for a young driver. But he's got a lot of experience.

"He comes into Formula One having won many championships, and he's been around for a long time.

"He's only 22, but he's had a lot more experience than I had when I arrived. He'll do well."

Whereas Button only had single seasons in British Formula Ford and Formula Three behind him when he graduated to F1, Hamilton has been racing single-seaters since November 2001, and has already claimed the F3 Euro Series and GP2 titles.

Button also believes that because Hamilton's teammate Fernando Alonso is new to McLaren, it will be easier for the British rookie to compete against the reigning world champion.

"Fernando's quick, but it's a new team for Fernando also, and new tyres to get used to for Fernando whereas Lewis is probably a lot more used to the feeling of these Bridgestone tyres from GP2," said Button.

But he warned Hamilton that the level of media attention that he would receive in his debut season could prove distracting.

"The amount of press attention you got was a big, big shock, and that took some getting used to," he said.

"I was 20 years old and having all that press attention is very tough when you're trying to concentrate on your career."