Button: Is Sainz stepping up with McLaren?

With Fernando Alonso retired from F1 and out the door at the end of the season, McLaren signed Sainz - replacing one Spaniard with another.

However, Button is clearly not convinced that the move is wise and asked of reporters at Silverstone, "It's good news but is it really stepping up?"

The 2009 F1 world champion continued, "He was racing for the works Renault team who are performing very well this year. Now he is moving to McLaren, whether it's the right move I don't know."

"I think he obviously didn't have the option to race at Renault this year with Daniel moving there, so I guess it's the right decision," explained Button.

In terms of on-track results and performances, McLaren are at their the lowest point in their illustrious history. A new management team has moved in to change the team radically and away from the Ron Dennis led heyday.

The MP4 became MCL and the latest MCL33 has proved to be a dud of a Formula 1 car, a year after they boasted from Woking - led by Alonso - how they had the best chassis on the grid, only limited by Honda.

Hoping and, obviously, guessing that the costly switch to Renault customer power units would solve all their problems and they would win again this season. Unfortunately for the team, the opposite has transpired at a frightening rate.

In the wake of Sainz signing Button warns that patience will be required from the young gun, "I don't think the pace of the car is going to turn around for next season. They have dropped a long way back, so it's going to be difficult."

"[McLaren] is a big team, a team that has won multiple F1 world championships so they will find a way back, but I think it's going to take a little bit of time."

"I guess [Sainz] must to understand that it's going to take a few years of working hard and making himself feel present and making his opinion count, and hopefully moving the car forward."

Button was Alonso's teammate at McLaren for two years and has some advice for the younger Spaniard who will replace him, "Fernando has retired and he knows what he's doing. He is getting the most out of the car every weekend.

"So it's always going to be a tough act to follow, but they wouldn't have chosen [Sainz] if they didn't think he was worthy for the drive," added Button.