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Button has nothing to complain about - Watson

John Watson: "Someone like Perez is fast, fiery and keen to lay down his own scent trail" © Sutton Images

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• Perez refuses to apologise to Button
  

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button
• |
• Sergio Perez
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• John Watson

• Teams:
• McLaren

Ex-F1 driver John Watson says Jenson Button has to come to terms with Sergio Perez pushing him hard on track after the two McLaren drivers took part in a wheel-banging battle for position at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

After the race Button said "I've had some tough fights in F1 but not quite as dirty as that," but since then has tweeted that the pair had met to "clear the air". However, Watson, an ex-McLaren driver, said Perez's style of driving is all part of the game.

"If Perez gives Button a difficult time, it's up to Button to come to terms with it," Watson told BBC Sport. "It's a fact of life. He can't expect Martin Whitmarsh to tell Perez to back off."

He added: "If your kid team-mate is pushing you hard, it's not nice, but it's part of the game. You have to respond by getting in and doing the best job."

Watson went on to liken the drivers to animals in the jungle competing for territory.

"Someone like Perez is fast, fiery and keen to lay down his own scent trail, like animals in the jungle, to establish a pecking order in team. He is desperate to show what he can do, especially as he has not done an awful lot in the opening three races.

"Button is very experienced and the number one driver in that team, even though McLaren say there is no number one and number two. But because he is in that position, he has a target on his back and Perez will think that if he beats him, he'll be in the pound seat at McLaren. It's the law of the jungle, laying your scent around. That's what every driver is trying to do - they want to lead the team."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.