Ecclestone: Button not dedicated enough

"Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved," Ecclestone said in an interview with The Times newspaper.

"He is dedicated to what he is and puts himself under an awful lot of pressure. He'll win a race and next day start testing. I'm not sure whether Jenson is prepared to do that.

"I would say that Jenson is much like the old-time drivers. The Graham Hill type of driver with all the talent that they need, except nowadays you've got to be dedicated, too."

Honda driver Button scored a long overdue maiden victory this year, after storming to the front in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

And while Ecclestone believes Button has been doing a good job this year, the Briton reckons the Honda driver has to raise his game now to become a superstar.

"Maybe he is flattering the car," Ecclestone added. "But I think he's been around long enough now - he's got to make his mark. If he does, there is no reason why he can't be a superstar for us. He's got all the qualities in and outside the car.

"If you look at his achievements or results, they are mostly the product of people stopping in front of him rather than Jenson overtaking - the team and Jenson need to make a little bit better effort."