Jenson Button insists he has lost none of his motivation to succeed since becoming Formula One World Champion.
Button maintains he is as driven now as at any time throughout his career, believing there is no-one who works harder in attempting to improve and to win.
His far more relaxed style, certainly in comparison to McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton, and his often-aired over-sensitivity with his car, have prompted suggestions he is not trying as hard.
After winning two of this season's first four races since switching to McLaren, Button has been out-qualified eight to one by Hamilton.
The 2008 World Champion has also finished ahead in seven of those nine races, winning three, and not only leads the title race, but is 35 points clear of Button going into Sunday's Italian Grand Prix.
Despite the facts counting against Button, the 30-year-old said: "I definitely don't feel I'm any less driven this year.
"I'm still going into every practice session, qualifying and race with the same hope I can win that race.
"And you can never get bored of winning. It's just such an amazing feeling when you cross the line and you've beaten the other 23 cars on the grid.
"It's a very special feeling that will never stop, that will always be there, that I always want to win.
"I know I'm just as passionate about it now as I was last year, and that's because I don't think there is a driver here who works any harder than me.
"I can't imagine putting in any more time and effort than I already do, and being passionate about it makes you care about which direction you take.
"I don't just rock up and hope we've a good car. I'm part of the process, the same as Lewis."
Button arguably comes across as too relaxed when you compare him against the likes of seven-times Champion Michael Schumacher, two-time title-winner Fernando Alonso, and perhaps even Hamilton.
As far as Button is concerned, that is his character, but when it comes to knuckling down and getting on with the job, he believes there is nothing to separate them.
"If you speak to the people I work with, they'll tell you how dedicated I am and how much time I put in to developing the car, not just for the latter part of this year, but also next year and future years," added Button.
"I don't just sit and wait for the car to be built, jump in and go around. I put a lot of time and effort in to making sure the team listen to what I have to say.
"A driver's opinion is important. It's not everything, but it is important, not just for what we do at a weekend, but the direction we take with next year's car.
"I need to be pushing on with that because in two months' time it will be too late because we're already working on next year's car.
"You've got to be opinionated, and I am."
Button is naturally determined not to let all that hard work go to waste, so despite the gap to Hamilton, he is refusing to write off his chances of reclaiming his crown.
"No British driver has ever won it back to back. That's a goal to go for," said Button.
"But also, winning the World Championship once is the most amazing feeling, and I want to see what it feels like it to win it twice.
"At the moment there are only two guys on the grid who have won it twice (Schumacher and Alonso), and it would be immense to win it two years running with two different teams."
