Fry hints at new Button deal

http://www.planetf1.com/story/0,18954,3213_4493844,00.html


Despite a dismal 2008 campaign, Honda look set to keep faith with Jenson Button and offer him a new contract.


After the high of winning his maiden grand prix in Hungary in 2006, Button's performances have slumped in the past two seasons.


In 2007 he scored just six points, coming home in the top eight on three occasions. However, this year he only finished in the points at one event, claiming sixth place at the Spanish GP.


It was roughly at that point that Honda realised their best bet was to scrap developing the RA108 and focus their attention on next year's car.


Unfortunately for Button that meant he dropped further down the order and had to watch while fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton won the title that many predicted Button himself would one day win.


However, one man who still believes Button has what it takes it Honda CEO Nick Fry. "Jenson is an immensely talented driver," he told BBC Sport.


"I am absolutely convinced that if we, at Honda, give him the car that can do the job he can compete with Lewis."


But despite hinting that Honda will retain Button, Fry says the team won't be rushed into announcing their 2009 line-up.


"We are not hurrying to choose our drivers for next year," he said. "We can afford to wait until possibly just before Christmas."


That line-up could see Rubens Barrichello dropped from the mix as Honda are set to test test youngsters Bruno Senna and Lucas di Grassi during the first off-season test at Barcelona next week.


"It is Formula One, everyone is under pressure to retain their position," Fry added.


"The drivers are no different from any other person in the team. They've got to deliver the results and the best people will get the race seats."


As for Honda's future, Fry is confident next year's Championship will see a better showing as new team boss Ross Brawn's influence is felt. "He has invested all this year making sure we have the best possible year next year," he said.


"We've really gone for it inside the company in terms of deploying resources for next year.


"Motivation in the team has been huge because they can see what's happening for next year. I'm sure you are going to see us take a big step forward next year."

go Button!

 

Apparently no one checked the final point standings again as RB kicked his sorry arse.

14 R.BARRICHELLO -- -- -- -- -- 3 2 -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 11
15 K.NAKAJIMA 3 -- -- 2 -- 2 -- -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- 1 -- -- -- 9
16 D.COULTHARD -- -- -- -- -- -- 6 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- -- 8
17 S.BOURDAIS 2 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 2 -- -- -- -- -- 4
18 J.BUTTON -- -- -- 3 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 3

Oh, sorry, I thought Button was the better driver ---NOT.

 

He is not the better driver, that is for sure. But apparently someone high up likes him.

 

Must be the potential to win the title he keeps telling everyone he could do in the right situation.

 

Button's 2006 GP win was a joke. A rain drenched shuffle the field affair... And that's the highlight of his career...

 

it's hard to say that if Button is better than Rubens. to begin with, the car this year was crap, and Rubens had no choice but to drive like hell because his job is on the line. Button, OTOH, couldn't care less...

 

That race was ridiculous and MS shouldn't have been an idiot and taken the third or second place that he was in.