Editorial ranking 2013: Jenson Button (10th)

His statistics

9th in the overall standings

73 points

0 victory

0 podium

0 best lap

Best qualification: 6th (Belgium)

Best race: 4th (Brazil)

Sa saison

It is a safe bet that when Jenson Button first got into the MP4-28 in February 2013, he didn’t imagine that the season would end for him and his team without a single podium finish. And yet, that is the sad outcome of a failed season during which the Woking firm abandoned its hopes of performing well after the first third of the season, leaving its drivers to struggle with a difficult car that evolved very little over the year.

Propelled to leader after Lewis Hamilton’s departure, the Briton seemingly had a tough challenge with Sergio Pérez, whose ambition was sky-high and who hoped to become world champion with McLaren. It was an ambition thwarted for the Mexican, but it did not prevent the two men from engaging in a fierce battle that would be remembered, notably during the Bahrain Grand Prix.

But, aside from the Mexican’s standout performances, it is Button’s legendary consistency that will be remembered at the end of a season that was overall dull, yet brightened by some interesting performances in China, Belgium, and his masterpiece of the year: the Brazilian Grand Prix, which he finished in 4th position, so close yet so far from the podium.

Jenson Button gave the impression throughout the season of struggling with his car, which did not prevent him from finishing in the points fourteen times, allowing him to be the highest-ranked driver not racing for a winning team. A small consolation for the most experienced driver on the grid, but he has been through other challenges and hopes that McLaren will get back on track.

The editorial opinion: The key word, within the editorial team of MotorsInside, was consistency. This is how Sarah Nuyens describes Jenson Button’s performance this season, while highlighting that he had been impeccable but hampered by a car not up to par. According to Benoit Fraikin, it’s believed that Button did the job, but attributes the fact that he didn’t do more to his intrinsic qualities: the man is not of the same caliber as Alonso, capable of bringing more to a car.

The highlight of his season: the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he finished in fourth position. A grand finale for the Briton after a well-executed race but, symbolizing his season, far from the best and far from the podium.

Discover the other drivers in the editorial ranking:

9th – Jules Bianchi

8ème – Mark Webber

7ème – Lewis Hamilton

6th – Nico Hülkenberg