You're comparing the wisdom of Domenicali with Todt/Brawn???? REALLY??? If you recall, all of them came as a package deal and established Ferrari's most successful run in modern F1. The current group of guys just chase their tails trying to keep up with everyone else. In fairness, let me clarify that when I suggest "Ferrari" doesn't know what they're doing, I mean Domenicali and gang specifically.
Yes. In 11 years of GP racing Jenson won 10 GPs-more than half of them (6) in 2009 alone in the Double Diffuser Brawn. As for paying Level 1 money, that's what sponsors are for. Top drivers end up on top teams but as always there are exceptions to the rule.
It could be argued that the Honda was a crappy car, no? I don't think Button is at the same level of seb-lew-alonso, but he's not very far behind them. Clearly, he's ahead of guys like Webber, Massa, Rosberg, etc. Maybe I'd place he and Kubica together (although, arguably, a healthy Kubica belongs with the first group of drivers). Jensen in a capable car is clearly good. He's not aggressive enough to impress in a backmarker though.
He went to McLaren where their "love child" Hamilton rests his bones. If he can do that, he can drive along side Alonso.
I don't see how you can say JB is a Level 2 driver when he has a WDC, REGARDLESS of the fact he was in the best car on the best team that season. I know he is not a 'Level 1' with respect to garnering P/R - the three you named are far and away Level 1's in that respect, but where do you put MS today? You cannot rate drivers at different levels pending on the team/car they are in, they are level 1 or level 2 or level 5 for life. In 1984 I told everyone Senna was the best driver in the most unreliable car, everyone laughed at me. Prost went from an unreliable Renault to a reliable Honda, Mansell went from an unreliable Lotus to a reliable Williams. And where do you rate JV, Mika or Damon Hill? That statistic means nothing. Look at the reverse for MS.
exactly why I originally said jense is a level 2 driver because he's not in the fred-seb-lewis class. Better than the rest of the field, except for (maybe) a healthy kubby but certainly not in the fred-seb-lewis class.
I beg to differ, not a cat in hells chance would he be allowed to do what he did with Ham in last race,he would probably have got fired on the spot for that. IMO Ferrari are all out out sea at the min, strategy wise and grasping at straws. All there eggs are in Alonso's basket, however they do need a good rear gunner for him (that is all) now that in its self is a tricky one, it could argued most drivers would love to drive for Ferrari even playing 2nd fiddle, but one that would challenge Alonso is another matter, so as narrowing the field somewhat of very good drivers. We know what happened at Mclaren when Alonso was there, so we can pretty much assume the same would happen at Ferrari. Having said all that, personally am not a fan of team orders, but I understand completely why teams do have them. Further I would love to see Button at Ferrari, if only he would have a fair crack of the whip, as I see it, not a chance.
I wonder if Ferrari would consider having Barrichello back for Round 2? He has shown that he is willing to swallow his pride for a No. 2 Ferrari seat... and he's a solid driver and capable of picking up steady points towards a WCC. Rubens knows that Williams is a sinking ship... and I'm sure he misses being in a car that can compete for podiums if not outright victory. Sometimes when you get shipped out to the desert for a few years, you appreciate the oasis you left behind... I would also LOVE to see Rosberg in Ferrari red, but rumor control has him staying at MB... Just a thought... I like Massa as a person and a sportsman, but apparently the crash and having the race stolen from him last year has really messed him up (and understandably so!), and he is not the same driver he was before... Frank
The rumor could have been started to help him sell the Black 512BB in the next auction. A man has got to re-coup those engine out service costs. Why would Button consider this? So he can have a chance to wear RED. He's already got the big trophy and besides the cocktail parties are better at Ferrari.
Please tell me it's not true, no way jenson is up to it, mind you, as a plod along getting the points kind of second fiddle, maybe they have a point. He lucked into the right car at the right time, and anytime he won since it's because of the mistakes of others
Maybe not quite level 2, but at the bottom of level 1 for sure (semantics). Winning a WDC doesn't necessarily mean you're the best. This was crystal clear when Nicky Hayden won the 2006 MotoGP championship (with just 2 wins). No way he can be even compared to Rossi, but that's racing.
Agree on all points. Fernando is a driver who wants a clear pecking-order on the team...it's why Massa looks totally lost now whereas he was in the mix for the WDC only 3 seasons ago. Not many top-level drivers are willing to be that #2. And, yes, there is NO WAY Jensen would have been allowed to do what he did to LH if he were a Ferrari driver. No way in hell...
FA would dust him off... This is dumb, the guy is getting old. They already have Alonso signed long term (likely till the end of his career) so they need a young gun like KOBAYASHI in the seat.
Massa showed quite a bit in Canada but of course it rained, and we all know how phil does in the rain. As they say even a broken clock is right twice a day so lets see how he does this weekend-has he upped his game or was it an anomoly?
Funny you should say that-to Jenson's credit he was in a position to mop up but still: 2006 Hungary-Alonso leading, wheel falls off. 2010 Australia-Vettel's brakes overheat, off into the marbles. 2010 China-Great strategy call by Jenson or Mclaren, safety car deployed. 2011 Canada-a few turns from the finish Vettel f's up and Jenson wins. All of the above victories had rain and/or the safety car involved... Question: Does Jenson win if Domenicali is making the pit stop calls? (Would anyone?)
I dont understand why we are even talking about this: Felipe Massa has already a signed contract for 2012. So there is no seat for anybody else. Felipe is such a nice guy.
A prime example of: I believe in luck: how else can you explain the success of those you don't like...
