A few threads ago i put forward the proposition that Button was done and that he would probably not see a podium again. I was wrong. Sorry Mr Button.
It takes class to admit a mistake! I've always been a JB fan and never quite understood the rap against him. As far as I'm concerned, his championship was due no more to Ross Brawn than Vettel's was to Adrian Newey. The conventional wisdom was that he would be LewHam's bytch at McLaren...hasn't quite worked out that way so far!
Seems to be one of the more affable folks in F1. I believe I have a photo of him speaking to drivers/key figures of every team. Maybe not as fast as some, but can win with the right strategy and racecraft. I expect McHam will eventually outpoint him. A Beeb keeper in the future....
I think he's a deserved champion, but is given flack much more than he deserves. He's a patient and thoughtful driver, but he pulls off the moves when they count without risking it all like Lewis. We saw this in 09 and this season. And really Jenson's the perfect teammate at the moment. Not as fast, but he's showing Lewis how to win in this new F1. McLaren did well in grabbing him at the end of 09 and I think they have one of the best lineups in the paddock. I wasn't watching F1 then but from what I've read it seems very much like Senna/Prost in the way they approach racing, but these two get along well even after a race ending incident between them. I bet the sponsors are loving it too, two fast and personable Brits in two fast cars.
Button is clearly the number 1 driver at Mclaren. Hamilton is the number 2 driver and probably will end up as a test driver or tour guide in a couple of years.
After a good start to this thread, you have to turn up and wreck it all with a comedic post like that. Why?
He got a lot of flak for his Championship because he was brilliant (as was the car) in the first half of the season but very much less so in the second half when his teammate Barrichello was often ahead. I was not alone in thinking that Hamilton would blow him away at Mclaren. I am delighted to have been proved wrong though and I think your analysis is pretty much right of the balance between Hamilton, who has the speed but not, at the moment, the brains, and Button who is that bit behind on pace but much more likely to be still in the mix at the end. I'm not so sure about Hamilton being personable, although Button always comes across that way, even through some wrong turns career-wise like the mucking about with contracts. Certainly, there was a time early on in his F1 career when it all came too soon for Button and he seemed to be deflected by the accoutrements - boats and cars etc. - from getting the job done. He was quite lucky to keep a drive after getting thrashed by Fisichella at Benetton. Seems a long time ago now... Jonathan Image Unavailable, Please Login
One of my favorite drivers. He has the element of maturity that LH lacks. LH would do well to learn from JB while they are together. I wish him more success.
True, i remember this to. Yes he now has maturity. It was not always the case, as well as what jtremett wrote above, i can also remember when he swore a few times on camera in his early days (never heard LH do that). Maturity has come with over a decade of racing, that's quite obvious. Both Mclaren drivers complement each other in equal measures, and both have and are taking positive things from each other. That's why they are the greatest pairing on the grid.
Outstanding post and you nail the racing mentalities of the two... Hamilton has the "all-or-nothing" approach of his idol Senna. Button has the smooth, calculating approach of Prost. Us Tifosi and fans of other teams as well, we all have to concede that McLaren has the best current lineup in F1. For McLaren, it is everything Prost/Senna SHOULD have been... The classic hare/tortoise partnership... (not that I am in anyway saying Button is slow, just a tad slower than Hamilton and more calculating in his approach) Frank
Button did well, but IMHO he didn't deserve the win in Montreal after ellbowing Alonso out. He should have been given a penalty for that. They give Hamilton penalties for much lesser offenses. That said I like Button and don't have a problem with him now being 2nd in the drivers' standings.
as long as tire wear decides the issue button will always be in contention. it seems he can go the entire weekend on a set of softs.
Nice one. I have never doubted him, got a bit fed up of him in the past when there always seemed an excuse in his BAR Honda days. But when folk were saying Hamilton would annihilate him, I defended him and reckoned not. But as always given a good car he can put his smooth style to good use, and has shown he can now dial in a bit of aggression with his Mclaren, its seems the Mclaren car is quite a bit stronger than last years.
Come on man 50/50 that one, and just think you went through all that rain to get home and find the results had been switched....surely not... I look at this way I would have been happy for any driver to give Vettel a run for his money right now, Button/Alonso would have had him in Monaco, only for the nature of the track. I don't dislike Vettel, I think he is a awesome driver, but I soon get sick of the same face winning.
I also don't dislike Vettel, i don't dislike any driver they all do some thing we all can dream of on here. However i think Vettel is just an awesome qualifier in the fastest Adrian newey designed car of the day. I agree with Eddie Jordon, wheel to wheel there is still a question yet unanswered. He is no Alonso, Hamilton or even kobayashi IMO.
I remember Andreas saying the HUngary 2006 win was his first and last one. Well, just look how far he has come. I think, JB is one of the most complete driver out there. He's good in changing conditions, plus, he's patient.
All the drivers have there bad moments, Vettel v Button SPA last year springs to mind, Vettel v Webber last year with Ham closing in on him. Maybe Vettel just does not like the pressure or can handle the pressure of a driver breathing down his neck, it's still too early to stay whether he is the complete package IMO, he is not far from it though. But then who is, all seem to have a chink in there armour, possibly Alonso like him or not is the closest all rounder.
Alonso was half a car length in front therefore owned the corner. Button should have backed off and should have been given at least a drive through penalty.
Many folks thought that, possibly even Button: if the Brawn GP deal had failed (eg by not getting the car and/or the engine) it would have been likely the end of Button's and Ruben's career Both drivers gambled and won. Good for them.
