Fry Wants Button to Keep Pressuring
BAR boss Nick Fry has called on Jenson Button to keep ramping up the pressure on his struggling team to rediscover their form, after a disappointing start to the campaign
BAR and Button came into the year with their sights firmly set on a maiden Formula One victory, but they have failed to score a single point in any of the first three races and are the only team not to have reached the chequered flag at all.
And after Button lost his temper about the team's form live on television after his early exit from the Malaysian Grand Prix, Fry claims he wants more outbursts from his star in a bid to make the team improve.
"Jenson and I have had lot of conversations about this. People like Michael Schumacher and rally driver Petter Solberg did not get to be world champions by being Mr. Nice Guy," said Fry in an interview with The Sunday Mirror.
"They are very clear about what they want. They look you in the eye and say, 'I want to succeed. I am the guy in the driving seat and this is what you must give me'.
"It has to be done in an assertive way, but not a rude or aggressive one.
"That's what good drivers do - and Jenson knows that. His alleged outburst in Malaysia was completely understandable. He had a car that was working very well and certainly would have been third. He was very, very disappointed."
Fry, who has just appointed former Champ Car title winner and Indy 500 victory Gil de Ferran as his team's new Sporting Director, is adamant that achieving success will be as much dependent on Button's leadership off the track as on it.
"The best drivers in the world are not only outstanding drivers but they share the leadership of the team. That is why Michael is so good," added Fry.
"Some are not quite so talented but if they work with the management, really lead the team and motivate the workforce, they get tremendous results. There are others who are more talented but don't do those things and therefore underachieve.
"Jenson comes to the factory whenever he can and has a fantastic relationship with the workforce at all levels - the guys who work on the car and those in the factory."
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