Jenson Button says new McLaren will be 'something special'

World champion Jenson Button believes that McLaren's difficult 2009 will help produce "something special" as he bids to defend his title.

Button and 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton appeared together in McLaren colours for the first time today to unveil the new MP4-25 at the team's launch in Newbury, Berkshire.

The former Brawn driver said: "They had such a hard start to last season but that is good for the team because now they're producing something very special."

Hamilton ended up a relatively lowly fifth in the drivers' championship last season while McLaren had to settle for third in the constructors' standings.

Button, who clinched the title thanks to an electric start to the year which saw him win six of the first seven races, warned against dwelling on the past.

"I have the number one on the car and that's very special," he said. "But I need to start forgetting about last year and start looking to the future."

Hamilton, now in his fourth season in Formula One, welcomed Button to the team and said he was confident McLaren would be far more competitive in 2010.

"I'm sure the car will handle completely differently to last year's car," he said.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh paid tribute to both drivers and predicted a tight battle between the duo.

"We're fortunate that we have two great drivers with astute technical minds," he said. "As two honest and strong team players we expect an exciting season within the team."