Schumacher is nothing special, feels Button

Reigning Formula One world champion Jenson Button has dished out a pre-season warning to returning seven-times champion Michael Schumacher, saying the German is nothing special.

Button and his McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton are looking forward to meeting the Mercedes ace on equal terms for the first time during next weekend's season-opener in Bahrain.

"It's exciting that Michael is back and great for the sport. But he is not the only driver and I won't look at him differently. There are lots of other drivers who have achieved success in the last few years while Michael hasn't been around, but also who have achieved success while he has been around." News of The World quoted Button, as saying.

"Fernando Alonso won the last two championships when Michael was racing in F1. You don't think of him as any different to racing against Lewis Hamilton or Fernando."

"Michael is the most famous racing driver in the world and a big part of F1, but if he wasn't here it would still be a fantastic season," he added.

Button is further confident the British partnership will survive the heat of a title battle.

"I think it is exciting being alongside a world champion. Hopefully it is the same for him. The most important thing is to win. But we need to work together to do it," Button said.

"The great thing is we both understand each other and we go to Bahrain with a good car. I am more excited about this season than any other," he added.

Schumacher is nothing special, feels Button - *(F1) Formula One 2009 - Cricket and Sports - MSN India