Sir Jackie Stewart last night insisted Jenson Button is driving like a world champion - then compared him to one of the all-time greats in Alain Prost.
Frenchman Prost won four world titles between 1985 to 1993 with a style that disguised the fact he was behind the wheel of one of the most powerful cars on the planet.
Nicknamed ‘The Professor’ for his mental approach and discipline, Prost won 51 of the 199 races he started and claimed 33 poles and 41 fastest laps.
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Button’s statistics are not in the same league but after winning six of this season’s first seven races, he looks like a world champion in waiting.
Stewart said: “Jenson is an effortless driver who doesn’t bully a car, he smoothly and gently conducts it.
“He is driving as well today as any driver I’ve seen in recent years. The only person I can compare him with in that respect is probably Prost. He was the epitome of a smooth, gentle driver.
“There were not a lot of hand movements on the steering wheel, not a lot of correcting errors.
“He was absolutely on top of it and not at all bullying the car, just like Jenson.”
Button admits he was flattered by Stewart’s comments but although he is a great admirer of Prost, insists his style is of his own making.
He said: “Coming from Sir Jackie it’s very nice to hear. I’m a big fan of Alain’s and what he achieved and I really loved his driving style.
“I don’t know how similar I am to Alain but it is a massive compliment.
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