Button believes rival Alonso 'not in same class as' Ayrton Senna

London, July 29 (ANI): McLaren star Jenson Button has declared to championship leader Fernando Alonso that he cannot be ranked alongside F1 legends like as Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

Ferrari driver Alonso, 34 points clear in the drivers' standings and sixth on the grid in London , is chasing his 31st grand prix win on his 31st birthday, with Brit rival Lewis Hamilton in pole and is also chasing a third world title, which would put him alongside Senna.

"Why do we have to say he's one of the greats? Who are you comparing him to?" the Daily Express quoted Button, as saying.

"He's not the only one in the field who you would say is a great. I wouldn't compare him to other greats of the eighties. It was 20, 30 years ago. It's a completely different sport now. They are completely different times," he added.

Button claimed that even as Alonson maybe a great driver and very skilled at what he does, "e's not just fast, he's a thinker as well."

"I wouldn't put him in the same category as the old great drivers. I'd say you put him in with Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel," he said. (ANI)