Jenson Button explains why he’s still ‘jealous’ of Fernando Alonso despite Aston Martin’s poor form

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Even with Aston Martin struggling to finish a Grand Prix, Jenson Button can’t help but envy both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Aston Martin’s struggles have been evident for all to see. After Fernando Alonso’s onboard footage highlighted just how severe the Honda power unit’s vibration issue is, there is serious concern for both the team and the drivers’ safety.

Things have gone so badly for them that Aston Martin are looking to replace Adrian Newey as team principal in the coming weeks.

If Aston Martin decide to replace Adrian Newey as team principal, who should they sign?

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Jonathan Wheatley is considered the favourite to take over from Newey as team principal as he returns to his chief technical manager role.

However, amid all the chaos at Aston Martin, Jenson Button is still desperate to get behind the wheel of the AMR26 this year.

READ MORE: Adrian Newey has already had two key F1 figures turn down his offer to replace him at Aston Martin

Jenson Button ‘jealous’ Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll get to drive Adrian Newey-designed AMR26

In the first edition of Jenson’s Journal on the Aston Martin website, Jenson Button admitted he is eager to drive the new AMR26.

He expressed his admiration for Adrian Newey and his work, and explained why seeing Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll drive the AMR26 makes him a little jealous.

“I’d love to drive one of these new-generation cars, especially one designed by Adrian Newey. I’ve raced against a lot of his cars over the years and always wondered what it would be like to work with him. I guess you could say I’m a little bit jealous of Lance and Fernando in this respect.”

“Seeing Adrian operate up close is fascinating. He’s very old school – notebook in hand, sketching ideas on a drawing board – but that’s part of what makes him such a master. He really is.”

“I really would jump at the chance to drive one of Adrian’s cars. A demo run perhaps? But 24 races in a season… I’m too old for that.”

READ MORE: The FIA could force Honda to turn down their engine in Japan after Fernando Alonso vibration footage

Is Felipe Massa being too harsh on Lance Stroll as Fernando Alonso’s teammate?

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Jenson Button praises Fernando Alonso as one of his toughest teammates

Button then looked back on his days as a teammate of Fernando Alonso’s, and how the Spaniard would push him in every aspect to get the best out of him.

“I raced alongside him for a couple of years, and although they weren’t the easiest years in the sport for both of us, the one thing I had, the one true benchmark, if you like, was Fernando as my team-mate.”

“Trying to go out there and beat someone like Fernando in equal machinery was a real challenge – and I loved that challenge.”

“Seeing his work ethic, but also how he had fun out of the car – he’s a really good character. 10 years later, none of that has changed about Fernando.”

Alonso and Button were teammates during their time in McLaren. Ironically enough, for all the praise Button gave Adrian Newey and the AMR26, he failed to mention any of the issues they are facing.

Considering that Button faced similar challenges with Honda during his time with McLaren, it’s odd that he would still want to drive a car with such a problematic power unit.