McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh has dismissed suggestions that Jenson Button has backed off in his world championship race with team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

Button has failed to finish ahead of Hamilton in the previous five races and he now trails the 2008 champion by 12 points going into this weekend's German Grand Prix.

However, despite Hamilton racking up two wins and two runners-up finishes in this period, Whitmarsh believes the title race remains wide open.

Speaking to reporters, he said: "Jenson is second in the drivers' championship, has had two great wins this year and has proven he's a great racing driver, a great reader of a race.

"For someone to recover from 14th to fourth (like Button did in the British Grand Prix) shows he is a phenomenally quick and adept racing driver, and also has a lot of determination.

"I'm sure Jenson hasn't given way to Lewis' charge for the championship. He will want to win this weekend, to move that momentum back in his favour, and that's just how it should be."

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