Brittny Button has defended Charles Leclerc after David Coulthard questioned whether the Ferrari driver’s increasingly family-focused paddock routine is appropriate for the intensity of a Formula 1 race weekend. The two offered sharply different perspectives on a changing side of F1 culture, with Coulthard emphasising the seriousness of Grand Prix competition while Button welcomed a more inclusive environment for drivers’ partners and families.
The discussion comes during a busy period in Charles Leclerc’s life both on and away from the circuit. On track, the Monegasque is pursuing his second victory of the season while attempting to close the gap to Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, who has been outscoring him. Away from racing, Leclerc’s wedding and the news that he is expecting his first child have also attracted attention.
David Coulthard questions Charles Leclerc’s paddock routine
David Coulthard raised the issue while appearing on the Up To Speed podcast. The former Red Bull driver pointed to the combination of Leclerc’s family life, a baby on the way and his dog being present in the paddock, arguing that the overall picture felt excessive to him during a Grand Prix weekend.
Coulthard’s view was that Formula 1 should not be approached like a relaxed weekend away because Grand Prix racing remains both serious and dangerous. At the same time, the former driver acknowledged that his reaction could partly reflect the perspective of an older generation.
His comments add another layer to the recent debate around David Coulthard’s criticism of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari paddock routine, with attention extending beyond the Monegasque driver’s results to how he manages his life around race weekends.
Brittny Button welcomes Formula 1’s changing paddock culture
Brittny Button, the wife of former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, responded on Instagram with a very different perspective. Drawing on her own experience as a former driver partner in the paddock, she welcomed the fact that Formula 1 now appears more accepting of partners and families being present around teams and drivers.
Button explained that the paddock had not been particularly welcoming towards women for a long period and regarded the current shift as a positive development. Her defence of Leclerc therefore extended beyond one driver, presenting the issue as part of a broader change in how Formula 1 accommodates the personal lives of those competing in the championship.
Leclerc is also far from the only Formula 1 driver whose family has become a regular presence in the paddock. That makes the disagreement less about an isolated incident and more about contrasting views of what the modern Grand Prix environment should look like away from the cockpit.
Charles Leclerc also faces an important battle on track
The discussion arrives while Leclerc is dealing with more immediate sporting priorities at Ferrari. The Monegasque is seeking another victory while trying to reduce the points deficit to Lewis Hamilton, whose results have placed him ahead in their current intra-team battle.
The season-long picture between the two Ferrari drivers can also be followed through the Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton head-to-head statistics, which tracks their qualifying and race performances.
For Coulthard, the paddock remains above all a workplace built around a dangerous and highly demanding sport. Button’s response highlights the other side of the debate: Formula 1 can retain that competitive seriousness while becoming more welcoming to the families and partners who form part of drivers’ lives away from the car.
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