Button Critical of Raikkonen and Alonso Hype

British American Racing's Jenson Button has criticised the hype surrounding new Formula One stars Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso, saying the attention should be given to other, more successful stars in the sport.

Button, who himself was lauded as a new potential star when he entered Formula One in 2000, said Raikkonen has had a meteoric rise to the top of the sport that may not have been warranted, according to the Briton.

"Some people are lucky when they come into F1. They are in the right place at the right time," Button told the BBC. "Kimi, for example, had a good first year but nothing staggering. Then in his second year he's in a McLaren. What a step.

"They say a lot about Kimi and Alonso especially and they forget a lot of the other talent in Formula One. What about Juan Pablo [Montoya]? They don't even mention him much and he's been the main title rival with Michael Schumacher. [Mark] Webber's done a good job this year as well, so there's a lot of talent there."

Button himself had a good first year with Williams in 2000, but had to make way for Montoya and moved to Benetton/Renault in 2001, where he had a difficult time before joining BAR last year. But the Briton says he is happy with his slow path to the top.

"For me it's been a little bit more difficult, but I think the way I've done it is probably the best way," said Button. "I've experienced so much in Formula One. I've hardened up quite a lot after being at Renault. And I've got a lot of experience of working with different people, and different teammates."

Button further downplayed the success of his previous team Renault, after the French outfit finished a strong fourth in the Constructors' Championship this year and clinched their first win in the Hungarian Grand Prix. Rather, Button warned that his current team BAR are going to oust Renault as the 'Best of the Rest'.

"I don't think Renault are going to be as strong as they have been," Button told the BBC. "Rather, I think we're going to be the team up there with the top three. A lot's going to change next year, which is going to benefit me."