Comments on: Button and McLaren opt for a piece of theatre

By: kenny

kenny — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Butttton certainly would be ‘following Hamilton home everywhere’, mostly from a distance.

This is an admission from the Butttton fan base that the best driver didn’t win the championship this year.

By: Buck

Buck — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:27:55 +0000

“in response to Buck”s suggestion that KR may be suffering from a “serious case of social anxiety”: No evidence of that and it sits oddly with his name ‘The Iceman’.”

Like I said it was only a theory, though there IS evidence of avoidance behavior, and few people suspected those other pro athletes had social anxiety before they came out in the open about it; they hid it well. I think the Iceman nickname is more in reference to his cool head on the track than in front of cameras.

“Also, Martin Brundle once reported on an evening spent with Kimi and friends and complained that Kimi let no one get a word in…”

Letting loose once the pressure is off and he feels relaxed within trusted company?

By: Silverstoned

Silverstoned — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:36:12 +0000

just like to say in response to Buck”s suggestion that KR may be suffering from a “serious case of social anxiety”: No evidence of that and it sits oddly with his name ‘The Iceman’.
Also, Martin Brundle once reported on an evening spent with Kimi and friends and complained that Kimi let no one get a word in…

By: Buck

Buck — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:38:41 +0000

James, yes I was referring to the “difficulties” you and many others have with him when comparing his raw talent to his results. The common perception seems to be that he is squandering that talent for some reason, though what the reason may be seems to be a mystery, though “lack of motivation” is most routinely cited (for lack of more insight).

Historically we usually give artists with that kind of raw talent a lot more leeway to screw up, as talent is more commonly associated with emotional difficulties and other problems in creative people, but we are far less forgiving when an athlete has that kind of raw talent but somehow fails to live up to their potential. Why the discrepancy?

At any rate, I merely meant to suggest that if Kimi (or anyone for that matter), felt extremely uncomfortable while at their job much of the time, surely there’s a possibility that job performance could be affected as could one’s desire to stay at their job no matter what their status or salary was.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:20:49 +0000

Not aware of that. Think he feels the fixed amount in the contract relative to the performance related amount is too low

By: Peter

Peter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:21:23 +0000

Plus Kimi has a really good relationship wit Norbert Haug.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:39:47 +0000

Whitmarsh signing off so readily on Mercedes supplying engines to Brawn at the start of the year may be the problem. Dennis may not be hell bent on racing again so much as making sure that McLaren has a strong future.

By: James Allen

James Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:37:57 +0000

Agreed. They are not likely to leave themselves exposed. Remember 2013 is a new engine formula, based on different technology (green) They will be lining something up, you can be sure

By: OR

OR — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:37:14 +0000

James,

As part of this contract, do you know if Jenson is requiring #1 driver status over Rosberg at Brawn, and if so, is this adding to the drama?

Thanks
O

By: James Allen

James Allen — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:36:25 +0000

Agree 100% Rudy, he deserves his title – it’s unbelievably hard to win the world championship, whatever car you have. There is so much pressure. I reckon if he had that situation again now with the experience he’s gained from 2009, he would have a much smoother second half of the season. But that’s top level sport – you have to take your chances when they come. And they come to very few. You must make it happen for yourself.