In the world of Formula 1, few drivers have had the privilege of competing against legends like Fernando Alonso. For Jenson Button, racing against Alonso wasn’t just another challenge—it became his yardstick for measuring personal success. In a recent interview, Button opened up about how he gauged his performance during his time in F1, revealing that if he managed to finish ahead of Alonso, he knew he had done an exceptional job.

“Fernando was always the one to beat,” Button shared. “He was such a complete driver, capable of performing under any conditions and extracting the most from the car. If I could finish ahead of him, that was the true mark of a great race for me.”

The 2009 world champion’s rivalry with Alonso was one of mutual respect, with both drivers pushing each other to the limit. Button acknowledged that Alonso’s consistency and adaptability made him a tough opponent, but that’s exactly why finishing ahead of him felt so rewarding.

“Beating Fernando wasn’t easy—far from it,” Button continued. “But it was the benchmark I set for myself. I always felt that if I could compete at his level, I was doing something right.”

Throughout their careers, Button and Alonso crossed paths multiple times, most notably as teammates at McLaren. The friendly competition between them only strengthened Button’s belief that Alonso represented the pinnacle of F1 excellence. It’s a rivalry that Button still reflects on fondly, as it pushed him to become the best version of himself on the track.