Jenson Button might not have started a race in Nitro Rallycross yet, but he’s already made an impression on Xite Energy Racing according to Button’s team boss and new team-mate Oliver Bennett.
Button will race for the team in Nitro RX’s new all-electric Group E class, beginning at rallycross’ spiritual home of Lydden Hill in June.
“We’re a British team taking on the world,” said Bennett. “There’s no bigger or better driver to represent the team and what the team stands for than Jenson. We’re hugely excited about what’s to come.
“His family history in rallycross and the fact that we’re both from the South West – him from Frome and me from Bristol – makes this a great story.”
Button and Bennett have already spent time over the off-season working together, firstly trying out side-by-sides in California, before testing Bennett’s Mini and Ford Fiesta rallycross Supercars in Wales earlier this month.
“We’ve already completed a lot of testing and we’ve learned a fair bit from each other,” said Bennett. “As you can imagine, he took to it really quickly, adapted his driving style and was very, very fast. It’s been really interesting and useful to compare the data – but I don’t think there’s any doubt which one of us is quicker in a go-kart…
“As well as the circuit experience he brings, one of the things you notice immediately is the level of professionalism. You don’t become a Formula 1 world champion without knowing how to get the best out of the car, the engineers, the team and everybody around you.
“I feel, as an organization, we’ve already benefited hugely from having him with us.”
