Hamilton made a mistake joining Mercedes – Button

Hamilton joined Mercedes at the end of 2012, a decision which has paid off handsomely as he has won the last two F1 drivers’ championships.

But Button – himself a champion at the Brackley outfit when it was racing as Brawn in 2009 – has claimed that the whole of F1 thought Hamilton was making a huge error.

“I don’t think anyone thought he was doing the right thing and at that moment in time it wasn’t the right thing to do,” Button told the BBC.

“But he has walked into a team that has improved dramatically.

“They have done an amazing job but you couldn’t have envisaged that at that moment in time.”

But Button says that he was surprised Hamilton left after winning four races and claiming seven pole positions in his last season at McLaren – a season during which Mercedes were far from competitive.

“Lewis is one of the quickest guys ever in an F1 car but he did not know [the Mercedes would become so quick] when he signed,” added Button.

“We’re all emotional, he took it emotionally, but it has paid off.”