Jenson Button

Arguably the best ever driver in mixed conditions, all his wins at Mclaren have come in those conditions. His last race win in the dry came at the 2009 Turkish GP.

Button is known for his smooth driving style and is normally seen in must races doing one less stop than his rivals for tyres.

Buttons also know to be a bit of a practical joker and will take part in anything fun.

Since his debut in 2000 Button has won the majority of hearts in this country. But what is your favourite JB win?

Mine has to be Hungaroring 2006, in argubly a midfield team and he won the race in those mixed conditions to take his first win. I can remember James Allen been in tears almost and that was the first race Anthony Davidson ever commentated on.

 

[racecub]

This is getting off topic but would Rosberg be allowed to partner Hamilton now?

I seem to recall his father vetoed it originally?

I think earlier in his career his dad didnt want him to partner hamilton as losing to him would damage his future. But unless Roseberg wants to just be a journeyman all the time at some point he has to bite the buulet and fight with the big boys. Rosberg and Hamilton are good friends as well, and both fair fighters, so it could be a good line up.

 

[RasputinLives]

Yes I thought it was tongue in cheek which is why I answered equally tongue in cheek

Jenson is openly flirting with Ferrari for 2013 and Lewis has been openly flirting with Red Bull for 2013. Maybe Martin should throw a hissyfit, chuck both of them out and bring in Perez and Di Resta.

 

[The Pits]

Or paffett and de la rosa!

 

[Brogan]

Is Whitmarsh going to move to Ferrari if Button does?

 

[Grizzly]

...and take half the technical team too?

 

[RasputinLives]

The tin foil hats would love that!

 

[RayInTorontoCanada]

If Button really wants to go to Ferrari in 2013 then I'd tell him good luck, and have fun finding a drive for next year.

Hi Keke,

I don't know about the last part of that sentence but there'd be good reasons for Button to be at Ferrari and here they are:

1. Button will be paid very well. Actually, he'll be paid extremely well. McLaren either won't or simply can't afford to pay what Ferrari pay.

2. di Montezemolo has come out and said that finishing 4th or 3rd in the WCC isn't good enough...and guess what? He's right! Massa hasn't made any impact since 2008 and Perez is completely unproven.

Ferrari can afford to pay a driver of Button's calible - a driver who is very skillful at bringing home wins and valuable points.

Massa's simply not in Button's league...and Perez may not be in that league any time soon either.

Button may not be fast enough to be World Champion while Lewis Hamilton is at McLaren...but everyone knows that he's fast enough and good enough to take wins and points off Lewis. Most importantly Button himself knows this...

...And the challenge of going up against Alonso (in "Alonso's Team"...much like he went to "Lewis' Team" for 2010) may be worth it...and the bags of Ferrari money would just be the added sweetener.

He may not be Number 1 at Ferrari but at least he'll have maximized his earnings potential. His career has only so many "Golden Years" left and there's no team on the grid that can pay like Ferrari can.

Lastly, Ferrari won't hold back Button if Button out-races Alonso. Why should they?

If Alonso isn't good enough, Ferrari will want to know that sooner rather than later because the sooner you know that, the easier it will be to write as big cheque to a guy like Vettel to lead that team into 2020.

In my opinion Vettel is the most complete racing driver of his generation and Ferrari will want him...and if Alonso stands in their way of getting him, they'll get rid of him the way they got rid of Schumacher.

 

[Galahad]

All of which is very plausible if Ferrari share Ray's assessment of Alonso, Button and Vettel.

I'm still absolutely convinced it's a bargaining ploy from Button or his management. McLaren have an option on him for next year anyway; by 2013 Perez may be a much more credible option for the second seat, as may someone like Kubica, or indeed someone like Bianchi.

 

[RasputinLives]

Welcome back Ray - nice post. leading them into 2020 is getting a bit ahead of ourselves though ain't it? I feel old enough it being 2011! lol.

Ferrari have signed Alonso until 2016 and I think its going to stay that way - whether they get Vettel in after that I guess we'll see but thats all for another thread.

What interests me is that Alonso himself has said he'd love to have Jenson in the team which is exceptionaly rare to here - to me this carries on with Fernando's change of attitude this season and I wonder if Alonso is now thinking that having a team-mate like Jenson pushing him along would be helpful to both himself and the team in their development. I guess we'll see. Of course Alonso's comment could just be him stirring the pot where Mclaren are concerned because he still doesn't like them.

Would love to see Jenson in the Ferrari and to jump into 'Fernando's team' like he jumped into 'Lewis's Team' I think it'll only make his stock go up and I don't think he has anything to loose.

Also as I said before which F1 driver can honestly hand on heart say they wouldn't want to drive for Ferrari with all thier history? not many.

 

[The Pits]

I think the point keke made should also not be overlooked. McLaren have the option on jb for next year, not the other way round, so if I were in jensons shoes I would be very careful as to whose motorhome I was seen coming out of.

 

[Slyboogy]

What interests me is that Alonso himself has said he'd love to have Jenson in the team which is exceptionaly rare to here - to me this carries on with Fernando's change of attitude this season and I wonder if Alonso is now thinking that having a team-mate like Jenson pushing him along would be helpful to both himself and the team in their development. I guess we'll see. Of course Alonso's comment could just be him stirring the pot where Mclaren are concerned because he still doesn't like them.

No disrespect to Button, but I highly doubt Button worries Alonso...

 

[RasputinLives]

No disrespect to Button, but I highly doubt Button worries Alonso...

Yep - and 2 years ago people were saying the exact same thing about Lewis

 

[MCLS]

Button may not be fast enough to be World Champion while Lewis Hamilton is at McLaren

Not quite sure about that, he's outperforming Hamilton at the moment, at the very least he kept pace with him in 2010 in a new team for him. He's very comfortable in the team now and that's showing in his results. If it wasn't for Vettel's dominance he would be right in the championship hunt.

 

[Grizzly]

No disrespect to Button, but I highly doubt Button worries Alonso...

No? Hamilton beat Alonso in his rookie year. Explain it away anyway you like, but Button is beating Hamilton right now...

 

[Slyboogy]

Yep - and 2 years ago people were saying the exact same thing about Lewis

And I hardly think Hamilton is worried either....Button may be having his best season quite the contrast with Hamilton.
Of all Hamilton's misfortunes and only 1 podium in 8 races, Button doesn't exactly lead him by much...

 

[RasputinLives]

misfortunes? hmmm well both have had 2 retirements not of their making so their level on that front. Other than that they've both finished in the points every race so what misfourtunes are you talking about?

 

[Slyboogy]

misfortunes? hmmm well both have had 2 retirements not of their making so their level on that front. Other than that they've both finished in the points every race so what misfourtunes are you talking about?

True...I rather not derail the thread into Button vs Hamilton, but Hamilton has had poor several races and still is only beating Hamilton by 9 points which nowadays isn't much, my main point is as much as I am impressed by Button's driving lately, if he's only 9 points ahead of Hamilton when Hamilton's had several poor races then I hardly think either Alonso or Hamilton would be that worried.

Contrast to Kubica moving to Ferrari or McLaren, or Hamilton moving to Ferrari which are two different matters.

Don't know if you are seeing my point or not, if one's driving at his best and beating his team-mate who's having his worst season by 9 points then

Anyway that's my last point on this matter as I don't want to de-rail the thread or repeat myself.

I think it's a valid point.

 

[RasputinLives]

Fair enough Sly we'll agree to disagree but I will make the point that its veyr easy to say this is Lewis's 'worst season ever' but actually I think this season he's had 2 of his best wins ever. He looked great in Hungray until the rain came. He looked awesome in Australia. He had a good race in GB but was let down by the car. He was in great form in Belgium until the Kobi incident. Ok he had bad races in Malaysia and Monoco but most of that was his own making. Even in Italy his qualifying performance was awesome - I agree his race wasn't great but if you look its still the best race he's had at Monza since his rookie season.

Lewis isn't haven't a 'poor season' - I bet if you add up his Driver Of The Weekend votes on this forum you can see that.

But as I said we'll agree to disagree but for me this year Jenson has really shown that he's upped his class this season.

 

[RayInTorontoCanada]

Welcome back Ray - nice post.

Thanks!

McLaren have the option on jb for next year, not the other way round, so if I were in jensons shoes I would be very careful as to whose motorhome I was seen coming out of.

Well, Jenson can argue that the 2010 car wasn't configured to his height given they'd designed around two smaller drivers (Kovy, Lewis) and that since he fits in better in the MP4-26 he's getting more out of the car...and despite 2 DNFs which weren't his fault, he's still out-scoring Hamilton (who hasn't had any mechanical/team DNFs in 2011).

And if he said that, then how can you argue with it? (You can say "It's Just Not Lewis' Year"...but why should that be Button's problem?)

Jenson's stock is up at the moment and you want to strike when the iron is most hot, etc...

I mean who are McLaren going to hire if they want to win the 2012 WCC?

McLaren exist to win!

Button is they very best option for 2012. Only a stupid constructor would decide to not take up the option.

Games are always played. McLaren/Ron Dennis has played them for ever. It's nothing new. You don't cut off your nose to spite, etc...

 

[Slyboogy]

Fair enough Sly we'll agree to disagree but I will make the point that its veyr easy to say this is Lewis's 'worst season ever' but actually I think this season he's had 2 of his best wins ever. He looked great in Hungray until the rain came. He looked awesome in Australia. He had a good race in GB but was let down by the car. He was in great form in Belgium until the Kobi incident. Ok he had bad races in Malaysia and Monoco but most of that was his own making. Even in Italy his qualifying performance was awesome - I agree his race wasn't great but if you look its still the best race he's had at Monza since his rookie season.

Lewis isn't haven't a 'poor season' - I bet if you add up his Driver Of The Weekend votes on this forum you can see that.

Let me rephrase if you may, poor results shall we say, rather than 'poor season'.

But as I said we'll agree to disagree but for me this year Jenson has really shown that he's upped his class this season.

I didn't disagree with that....