http://en.espnf1.com/f1/motorsport/story/15237.html "The story in Shanghai, just like in Melbourne, was all about Jenson Button. Both the races he's won, he's done it because he made the right decision. He's taken victory by using his head and that shows he is working at a very high level in the car. So far this season I've been saying Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel have been the top drivers, now I'm happy to say Jenson has joined them. Looking at the McLaren driver pairing, the most exciting without a doubt is Hamilton but it's Jenson who's calmly getting the job done. When he went to McLaren over the winter I said to him, "You've put your head in the lion's mouth now," to which he calmly replied: "It'll be interesting". And I think it is interesting, because Hamilton has shown immense talent coming through the field but Button has out-qualified him and scored more points. The difference is that Button is thinking properly. It reminds me of the story of the young bull and the old bull. The two of them are stood at the top of the field and the young bull says to the old bull, "Let's run down there and screw one of those cows." To which the old bull replies, "No, let's walk down there and screw the lot of them". A crude analogy maybe, but Button is seeing the bigger picture and he's winning. It's good to see the two of them have a genuinely good relationship too. Obviously they want to beat each other, but I was pleased to see Hamilton congratulate his team-mate so enthusiastically in China. Looking back at my career, I was very good friends with some of my closest rivals. I got on very well with Pete Collins for example, but that didn't stop me wanting to beat him on the track and he felt exactly the same way. So you can battle someone very hard in the races and still be good friends afterwards. Ultimately, Hamilton and Button's friendship is a good thing for McLaren and it should benefit both of them this season. However, I do think it's a great shame Hamilton has split from his father Anthony. I can compare that to the relationship I had with my father, because he used to help me out at races and we'd talk about all sorts of things. It's important to have that confidential release away from the media spotlight and to have someone you can really trust. I don't think Lewis would have got involved in that scrape with the police in Australia had his father been there, not that the incident bothers me, but it wasn't good for his preparations for the race. Anthony was a very positive influence at the races and Lewis has lost that now. Another place where the relationship might not be as rosy as it once was is at Ferrari. Alonso pulled a pretty saucy move on Felipe Massa to ensure he was first in the pits for fresh tyres in Shanghai. More than anything that really showed Alonso's character; that's the kind of man he is, he's a racer. And I'm not saying that's a bad thing because I would have done the same if I'd been in that situation. But if I were to put myself in Massa's shoes, a man who is facing doubt about his future with rumours he might be replaced by Robert Kubica in 2011, I'd be keen to show the team what I'm made of. If Ferrari is considering Kubica, Massa has to convince the boss he is making a mistake, and if that means being ruthless to Alonso in return then so be it. There's certainly no point in getting angry about it because that won't get him anywhere. It'll be interesting to see how that situation evolves. A lot of media focus has also been cast on Michael Schumacher after his disappointing start to the season. People say it's because he's been away for three years and that sort of stuff, but I'm going to stick to what I said at the start of the season: Until now, he's never had a truly competitive team-mate. His seven world titles are, in my mind, misleading and I think we are seeing proof of that now he is up against Rosberg. What's more I'm not sure he is taking F1 as seriously as he was earlier in his career. You need a compulsion to be there, you can't just do it for fun, and I don't think Schumacher has that compulsion anymore. To win you need to believe that there is no way anybody else can beat you and, frankly, I don't think he's in that kind of mindset. It seems as though this year is just part of his retirement rather than an extension of his career. I hear Mercedes has got some big updates coming to the car and a lot of people are saying that will benefit Schumacher. But I think an intelligent team like Mercedes will develop the car to suit both drivers, so I don't see the order changing anytime soon. Rosberg has proved himself as the team's No.1 and he's been faster than Schumacher in all circumstances. That will be an enormous boost for his self-confidence and that will filter back to the team. Earlier I said that Button had joined my top three drivers, but I wouldn't say the same about Rosberg just yet. We shouldn't let our judgement be clouded by the fact he is beating Schumacher as that isn't quite the achievement it used to be. Despite a poor race in China, by the time we get to Spain Red Bull will still be the team to beat. Adrian Newey has built a fantastic car and now it's down to the people at the track to make sure it takes the wins it deserves. Mark Webber will improve this season but Vettel is the one to watch, he's such a great talent. Barcelona might not offer the best racing, but with all the updates and intra-team battles up and down the paddock, I'm sure they'll still be plenty to talk about in my next column."
. He may be an old Dinosaur who fell down an elevator shaft but this is the best article I've seen from him in years. He must be on the right combination of meds. He's never had positive things to say about Ferrari, but considering the way Enzo treated him that's understandable. He's never liked Schumy for various reasons and always goes out of his way to rate him below quite a few other drivers all time, he must be really enjoying watching him struggle lately. I love the "old bull" analogy, Jenson does get his share of "cows" LOL !!
Well he certainly isn't pulling any punches with that lot. I like it. This maybe verging on below the belt.^
I don't know about that. He did write the forward to Enzo's autobiography...and a glowing one at that. Enzo also gushed about him in that same autobiography as well as in other biographies and articles I have read about him. There was a strong mutual respect there, even if the business end didn't work out.
Well, that must be a really old book because Moss never has a kind word for the Scuderia, and especially Schumacher but like I said, I understand why. Enzo asked him to drive back in the mid/late 50's, Moss declined, he would have surely won Championships. It had to piss him off watching other Brit's and even an American win Championships for Ferrari. He was a diehard Brit, and must have loved the Lotus/Brabham years...
I just hope Moss is prepared for the onslaught of backfire he will receive from all the Rotkaeppchen, who will defend their idol to the end. I can already see it: Who is he with no title to his name to dare judging a seven times WDC? He is just jealous yadayadayada.
the Brabham years may have been a little hard to swallow as they were the Australian years, and dear old Jack beat him handsomely, so much for the great Stirling Moss ... .how many WDC did he win ? How many did he win in HIS car ?
Anyone could reasonably argue that a WDC can be a fluke (Jacques V, Button, etc), and maybe lightning could strike twice for someone who was in the sport for so long. But seven? It's far more than anyone else. No, it's no fluke, and isn't misleading. MS is the real deal. I don't think people feel the need to defend him - he needs no defense. The best and most successful driver in the history of the sport, who has earned a billion dollars from his skill. I think his results speak for themselves and require no justification. What does require some creative justification, however, is arguing that he really isn't the best, after 4 races back from a long hiatus as the now oldest driver on the grid He may do horribly this year. He may come dead last in the standings. But he is still by far the best driver the sport has ever known, but pretty much any metric.
hey Mike...good post! that's what I reckon too. 7 times is no fluke, and no matter what happens this or in the the following years, nothing will change that.
It could be true, this year unlike other years, MS did not have a trick up his sleeve and neither did Brawn for that fact..
"To win you need to believe that there is no way anybody else can beat you and, frankly, I don't think he's in that kind of mindset. It seems as though this year is just part of his retirement rather than an extension of his career." I think there is an element of truth here. I dont see this as an insult against MS or his talents. Its a statement of his mindset overall. That and a car that is not designed completely with him in mind. I dont mind seeing him struggle. Its part of the game and who cares overall. He is there racing. It is what he wanted. I hope he is happy.
Lots of opinions and conjecture from both sides of the fence on this one. Moss is from a different generation of driving and sees things very differently. Some former drivers are for Schuey, and some are against. Until any of them win 7 world championships, their conjecture regarding how he won them is all bullcrap. Expert opinions regarding such matters are pretty much as useless as fan opinions. No way to know anything yet. Good read though.
Well, both of them are referred to as "Sir" isn't that some sort of club ? Or, is an Aussie Sir below a British Sir ?? If so, then you're probably correct.
Not at all, I guess I was not clear. In this particular circumstance, the only person who knows 100% what is going on is the driver. This makes all others' opinions worthless as they are not aware of exactly what may be happening. Other drivers were riddled with a similar issue last year, and all anyone can ever hope to do is wonder what they might be thinking. It makes for interesting journalism and insight but nothing else.
Just as first person experience adds an irreplaceable aspect to the analysis so does a detached educated eye.
Tru dat. Can't argue there. I guess actual drivers can have a bit more clear perspective to what a driver is complaining is awry with their chassis.
No. By that logic one needs to be a 7 times WDC to write music criticism. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I don't think Moss meant that all 7 titles were a fluke. I read his comments that some of them (e.g. 2 or 3) were down to controlling his team mate. Personally I don't care. Similar arguments could be made about all multiple WDCs and probably some of these arguments might be true. In the end a WDC is a WDC and to me all that matters. Moss and Gilles Villeneuve are about the only two drivers with one "honorary WDC" because they could have had it, if they had chosen so. He is certainly the most successful driver the sport has ever known as evidenced by his 7 titles and all the records he is holding. But you can't say he is the best driver the sport ever knew. That title could have gone to e.g. Jim Clark, Ayrton Senna or Stefan Bellof for all we know. Even MS himself was modest when being asked how his titles stack up to Fangio's. It was a different era with different requirements on skills etc. Impossible to compare to figure out who was best. Easy to determine who was most successful.
