Button analyses situation at Mercedes: 'Is nice for everyone but the fans'

Valtteri Bottas' seat at Mercedes appears to be in jeopardy again this season due to the Finn's poor performance. Yet former Williams driver and technical director Jenson Button sees an effective rapport between the two Silver Arrows drivers, with Hamilton protecting his teammate and leaving only Verstappen as a challenger.

"Lewis is backing Valtteri as he will because it means that he gets all the glory", Button begins, as quoted by Planetf1.com. "Valtteri kind of challenges him in qualifying, which pushes him, but in the race, it’s an easy win for Lewis."

Button, who is a former teammate of the seven-time world champion, understands well why Hamilton doesn't want another, perhaps stronger driver alongside him at Mercedes. In fact, according to Button, the two Mercedes racers seem to have reached a certain understanding. He explains: "The environment is good because Lewis backs Valtteri and Valtteri is not really challenging Lewis, they work together."

While this fact may work well for Bottas and Hamilton, Button also knows who loses out: "It's a great situation for everyone apart from the fans," he said.