Button Upset with Irvine Criticism

Briton Jenson Button has revealed that criticism by Jaguar driver Eddie Irvine upset him following a disappointing 2001 season.

Button struggled to adjust to life with the Benetton-Renault last season after making a switch from BMW-Williams and was disappointed with Irvine's criticism of his ability. Despite enduring a difficult season with Jaguar, 36-year-old Irvine claimed Button's struggles showed up his true abilities, but the 22-year-old disagreed.

"I've never thought Eddie was special or my idol," Button told the London Evening Standard at a recent book-signing session of his My Life in Formula One autobiography. "He should have talked to me, not the press. He likes talking to the press. He's obviously a very excitable person. He finds it good fun. But we get on well."

Button did admit that his problems last year stemmed from his failure to get to grips with the evolving Renault team, but the young Briton claimed team boss Flavio Briatore was a major help.

"I don't agree I lost my way, I had a problem with inexperience," added Button. "I couldn't work with the car as well as I should have. It was very tough working with the car and the engineers. Everything was new. Flavio was very helpful, although a lot of people don't see it that way. Whenever I had a problem he always tried to help."