Why Jenson Button and Honda Should Technically Be Doing Very Well in 2008

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/64923-why-jenson-button-and-honda-should-technically-be-doing-very-well-in-2008

Before 2007, Jenson Button was Britain’s greatest hope for Formula One glory. In a very short amount of time, he has been eclipsed by Lewis Hamilton and almost forgotten by all those who aren’t fans of him or Honda.

At the end of the 2006 season, things seemed to be looking pretty good at Honda and for Jenson. An initially disappointing season had developed into a one in which Jenson scored Honda’s maiden victory (as Lucky Strike Honda F1 Racing).

In fact, in the last six races of the season, Jenson scored more points than any other driver (including two world champions).

However, significant changes were made in Honda’s technical ranks, such as the replacement of Geoff Willis with the unsuccessful Shuhei Nakamoto (Nakamoto had been priceless in his development of Honda’s racing motor bikes, unfortunately aerodynamics when applied to four wheels proved not to be his forte).

This and a faulty wind tunnel at Brackly led to a complete U-turn in Honda’s progress. However, as I will now explain, this shouldn’t technically have been a problem.

Since joining F1 in 2000, Jenson Button has had a roller-coaster ride, finishing well one season, then not doing as well, before doing well again the next year (if you follow). Perhaps I’ll just let the stats speak for themselves:



Year: 2000

Team: Williams

Car Number: 10

Finished season: 8

Jenson finishes a very decent eighth in his maiden season, despite rookie errors (the most embarrassing of which involved him crashing whilst under a safety car period in Monza). He put in good performances and qualified as high as third in Belgium.



Year: 2001

Team: Benetton

Car Number: 8

Finished season: 17

A dreadful season in a dreadful car. After finishing eighth the previous year, he could only manage 17th in 2001.



Year: 2002

Team: Renault

Car Number: 15

Finished season: 7

I know it’s only early, but can you see the pattern yet? Eighth, to 17th, to seventh! A pretty good season, narrowly missed his first podium. However, unfortunately the season ended with his replacement by some bloke called Fernando?



Year: 2003

Team: British American Racing

Car Number: 17

Finished season: 9

Ok so 7 to 9 isn’t too bad….but it’s still a step back! Button leads his first lap in the USA and outperforms his world champ teammate Jacques Villeneuve.



Year: 2004

Team: British American Racing

Car Number: 9

Finished season: 3!

Jenson’s best F1 season in which he scored his first ever podium in Malaysia and his first pole position in San Marino. BAR came second in the constructor’s championship and the only drivers to beat Jenson in the drivers standings, carried a prancing horse on their cars!



Year: 2005

Team: British American Racing

Car Number: 3

Finished season: 9

Contract controversies aside, not a great year for Jens or BAR. A disqualification due to the BAR’s fuel system and a poor first half of the season meant that by the time the team had picked itself back up again, it was too late for a significant challenge. Still, ninth wasn’t bad considering the start.



Year: 2006

Team: Honda Racing F1

Car Number: 12

Finished season: 6

A mixed bag really; the win in Hungary outweighed the poor start, but by the end of 2006, Honda were very much a Top Four team, and Jenson scored more points than any other driver in the last six races.




Year: 2007

Team: Honda Racing F1

Car Number: 7

Finished season: 15

An absolute catastrophe! Honda and Jenson go from top four to back markers (they weren’t even allowed a gentle decline like Williams). Blame who you like, the drivers struggled with the dismal RA107, and the only positive came from the signing of Ross Brawn at the end of the year.



Year: 2008

Team: Honda Racing F1

Car Number: 16

Finished season: probably around 18!

So if my theory was correct; this should have been a good year for Honda! However, it doesn’t quite work like that; a poor 2007 has run into a worse 2008.

Rubens has more often than not outperformed Jenson, and things aren’t looking great for the final three races.

However, I believe that due to the massive aero changes next year, Honda have long since dropped the RA108 in favour of the RA109; hopefully explaining why there has been no significant improvement over this season.

Jenson seems pretty focused, and there is no doubt in my mind he has the skill to win more races and perhaps a World Championship, he just needs the car.

Things can only get better.

So maybe……….



Year: 2009

Team: Honda Racing F1

Car Number: 18

Finished season: 1?

Go Button!