Mar.2 (GMM) 2010 is Jenson Button's chance to prove he is as good as Britain's other formula one driver, according to Bernie Ecclestone.

After winning last year's world championship with Brawn GP, 30-year-old Button has switched to McLaren where he will share the British team with 2008 title holder Lewis Hamilton.

Asked about Button by March's Red Bulletin magazine, 79-year-old Briton Ecclestone said: "Jenson is Jenson.

"He's a racer of the old school," added the F1 supremo. "Nice, charming, a great lad.

"A worthy world champion, but is he as gifted as the others who got the crown? I don't know. We will find out this year in his duel with Lewis Hamilton," said Ecclestone.

He also mused about the double world champion Fernando Alonso.

"Fernando is very Spanish in his character. I get on well with him personally, he's a close friend.

"He's a nice, sensitive, reliable guy who has very high moral standards," Ecclestone added.

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