Trulli: Hamilton "won't destroy" Button

Veteran Jarno Trulli does not believe Jenson Button will be "destroyed" by teammate Lewis Hamilton.

After the new champion's move to McLaren, many commentators stated that he will struggle to keep up with the pace of the 2008 champion.

But Trulli, who will defend the Lotus colors this year, thinks the opposite: “I read here and there that Button will be destroyed by Lewis but at the end of the day only the track will tell us that,” said the 'Italian at BBC Sport.

“Jenson deserved to win the championship and it will be a good battle at McLaren,” he predicted.

Fernando Alonso also had his say on Button's move to the Woking team during the Ferrari party in Madonna di Campiglio.

“Jenson has decided on a new challenge,” he said. “He wasn't entirely happy with his contract at Brawn and moved to a very competitive team.

“Now he is happy and this is certainly not a mistake,” said Alonso, who "broke up" with McLaren in 2007.

Trulli also commented on Ferrari's new all-Latin driver pairing and the criticism that it's an explosive combination.

The Abruzzo native partnered Fernando Alonso at Renault in 2003 and 2004 and does not believe the Spaniard will have any problems with Massa, despite their public argument after the Nurburgring Grand Prix in 2007.

“Fernando is not exactly the easiest person in the paddock to manage but he should do a good job because he is a good driver,” said Trulli.

Andrea Cotta