Stewart Sends Warning to Button

Three-time Formula One World Champion Jackie Stewart has sent a warning to young British star Jenson Button, saying he should concentrate more on his driving than on other aspects of his private life.

Button, who made his Grand Prix debut last season with the Williams team, was tipped as a future world champion in 2000, after some impressive performances at only 20. However, the Brit was forced to leave the Grove-based team and move to Benetton, where he is enjoying a dreadful season so far.

Button has yet to score a point this year, and after being regularly outpaced by his Italian teammate Giancarlo Fisichella, Stewart thinks he should focus on his work if he wants to put his career back on track.

"Jenson has a high skill level, but there are lots of those drivers around and he should be giving priority to his racing," Stewart said. "I do worry that he has had too much too soon. He's been in Formula One for a year and already he's moved to Monaco and is earning a lot of money.

"Jenson did well last year but I do think some people got a bit carried away, he wasn't that special," he added. "This year he has a car that is not very competitive and that has obviously made things more difficult for him. He is a young driver; he has talent - now he needs to learn and go about his job in the right way. If he does that he can get there.

"You just have to look at Michael Schumacher to see how he goes about his work. He is totally focused and has the results to prove it works."