Button warns he may leave Honda

If was him I would be calling on RD,following Lewis round the track is better than what he had this year..

 

This does not come as a surprise to me.

 

Where could he go? Toyota? Definitely not Mclaren, they didn't want him last year. Why would they want him now.

 

IMO, Button is only a also-ran, not WDC caliber driver. With the right car, he can win races but not title. In his F1 career, he was with Williams, Bennetton/Renault and BAR-Honda and has never been impressive. While I sympathize with his frustration, but his time in F1 has came and gone, he can blame on bad management but I think it is more due to lack of abilities. He is in no position to demand what he wants, if he goes to any of the top teams, he will be a number 2 driver for sure. If he wants equal status, his choice is very limited, he can either stay at Honda, move to Toyota or RBR to replace DC.

 

The only way McLaren will take him is if they can't find any one/veteran driver to support LH, and he will be a number 2 for sure.

 

...ummm because they had Alonso last year - thats why they wouldn't want Button then but may want him now.

He's a good driver, probably the equal of guys like Rosberg, Kovalainen, Massa, but he is in an atrocious embarassment of a car.

 

Button in a Mclaren would be major competitiom for Lewis, probably more than Alonso. Button does not make to many mistakes. It would also mean major trouble for Ferrari as in the right car he's as fast as everyone and if it rains he has no equal in F1 just now.

 

+1

 

He paid wth his own money to stay at Honda, Ron Dennis needs some cash..

 

Who Paid? And for what??

 

Jenson Button wanted to go to Williams-BMW starting in 2005. BAR went to contract court to keep him for his option year in 2005. Button's contract with BAR for 2006 is based on him getting 70% of the champion's points by mid-August which didn't happen due to reliability problems, a DQ in Imola, and a two-race ban. Nonetheless, Button has changed his mind and wants to stay with BAR. Williams wants Button and have a two-year contract with him. Despite a couple of offers to change their mind, Williams is hell-bent on getting Button. This is made more interesting by BAR signing Rubens Barrichello to a contract for two-years. BAR looks like they are expecting the worst by signing a high-caliber driver like Barrichello. If Button goes, Sato may stay as second driver until they get Button back. Davidson was offered in an exchange to keep Button with BAR which makes him look expendable so if Button stays he could be on the way out. It should be noted that Button has a contract offer on the table from BAR for five years totaling $88 million while is scheduled to make $16 million in two years with Williams. Current Williams driver, Nick Heidfeld, is said to have been signed to a pre-contract and will get a seat if his option is not picked up by Williams for 2006. If this occurs, Sato should drive the third car for the team on Fridays. Davidson has been given the freedom to pursue other options for 2006 without having to wait for the conclusion of ButtonGate 2. Conclusion Of ButtonGate 2: Jenson Buttone will pay Williams in order to keep his seat with BAR-Honda. It is believed that Button will pay $18 million to Williams to halt legal proceddings against him. Next year's confirmed driver lineup at BAR is Button and Barrichello.

 

Yup totally agree regarding Button in the rain - he is brilliant when the track is wet. Perhaps one of the best in F1 right now. It was in the rain last season ('06) it was pouring down (in Hungary IIRC) he won his first pole position.

I like Button. He is humble but shows that he wants to win and just not recieve his paychecks and go home on a vacation.

 

Take a look here: http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=174237

I bet that we'll see a Button<->Alonso swap now. And I don't like it.



(My stake is 56 Euro Cent lying on my desk, should be sufficient to buy a new 599 in the US at today's exchange rate, who's in?)

 

I'd take Button over Massa in a heartbeat.

He finished best of the rest one season and earned more points in the last half of 2006 than did either Alonso or Schumacher. He is a much, much better driver than you give him credit for.

 

I'm guessing that with Ross Brawn joining Honda, Button will decided to stay put......

 

+2 In reliable and competitive equipment he would be a consistent podium finisher.

His comments were probably directed at Honda to ensure that they sign Ross Brawn, and if RB can come up with a good chassis design for 2008, next year should be as interesting as this year, minus all the off-track drama.

 

In 2004, evey team was down that year, with Ferrari running away from the start. McLaren and Williams basically designed brand new cars by mid-season and Renault and Alonso were both still in their infancy in their development as team, car and driver. IMO, being the best of the rest that year really doesn't mean much.

As for 2006, according to my calculation, JB earned 40 points in the 2nd half of the season (From USGP to Brazil GP), FA had 50 points and MS had 62 points. And if you exclude the Hungarian GP win, which IMO, has more to do with being at the right place at the right time, he would only have 30 points.

Podium finisher and maybe even race winners under the right conditions, but he is not a number one driver or a WDC challanger. As for RB and BAR-Honda, maybe with RB joining the team will make JB wanting to stay, but the question is, does RB want JB to stay? I can see Brawn keep Ruben as they know each other well, and I think Brawn will want a veteran driver that can help developing cars, but he has no ties with Button, other than the fact that they are both British.

 

Button just became Mr. Lucky. He stays at Honda, he wins because the car will get better and better. Or he moves to McLaren and wins too.

He can't lose. Good for him, IMO he deserved it.