Comments on: Is Button being pushed out or is he playing the game wrong?

By: rcw

rcw — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:35:17 +0000

I hope Jenson doesn’t regret the move, Ross is one of the few people in F1 who can really deliver at the top, Adrian Newey being the other, IMHO.

The tussle at McLaren should be great to watch though. Two drivers in the same team with equivalent machinery (lets hope) who can actually overtake should be fun. Roll on March.

By: David W

David W — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:33:13 +0000

Interesting comment earlier about a certain 41yr old. Will old colleagues be reunited – Ross and Schumi? Under a German constructor. The said 41yrs old could prepare and tune the car up for when Vettel joins in a couple of yrs. Would that not be a lovely surprise? Maybe the surprise Haug suggested…..

By: Owen

Owen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:24:58 +0000

James, is there any chance Schuey could go to Mercedes GP as a consultant or is he completely tied up with Ferrari? He could be good influence on Rosberg.

By: James B

James B — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:54:53 +0000

Jenson at McLaren a no lose situation ??

If we asume that Jenson winning this years championship was a major unexpected bonus for him could a 3 year contract with McLaren be the perfect solution.

Jenson knows that Mercedes main aim is to get Vettel on board and will expect them to make strong efforts to prise him away from Redbull and maybe his career at Brawn/Merc might be a short one.

A decent salary that Jenson feels reflects his status coupled with a 3 year deal would appeal. What about Lewis?. Here is where I feel Jenson has nothing to lose. Many regard Lewsi as the out and out quickest guy out there. If jenson gets blown away by his teammate in many ways it will be expected and not a reflection on Jenson himself. If however jenson not onyl keeps Lewsi in sight but from time to time genuinely outpaces him, then this can only increase Jenson stock and reputation in F1.

With a WDC in the bag, Jenson may just take the view that he can now relax, enjoy his sport and the earnings it provides and map out what he hopes will be a long career at the top end of the grid.

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:30:39 +0000

Good on you Jenson, you won the world championship under difficult circumstances. Unlike Damon in 1994-6 you didn’t really have just one single contender challenging you (the unforgiving Schumacher 94-95 and quick upstart Villeneuve 96′) but three (Barrichello – people forget how good he is, Webber – so underrated – blindingly fast, and young Vettel – a pain on any day!) And you beat them all.

Hats off to Jenson. Hill, Mansell and Coulthard couldn’t have done a better job. As for Hamilton, I think he’ll answer that question next year when he takes him on as a Mclaren driver.

Britain is proud of Jenson, he’s a true british racer, a deserved champion and one who will only get better and better. Here’s to 2010!

And Jenson if you read this – don’t believe the “analysis” from all the papers, do your talking on the track like you did this year.

And to the other staring columnists in this 100 point blog, show some respect to Jenson – he’s a real bloke with feelings!

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:04:19 +0000

James,
One of the interesting things in the whole Button McLaren Brawn/Mercedes saga is that whilst Mercedes have spoke about money for 2010 they have not discussed length of contract. McLaren, if the stories are true, have offered a 3 year deal. Personally I believe he would be better to take the longer McLaren deal – even if it was less per year as I get the distinct feeling that he would only be keeping the Mercedes seat warm for Vettel to arrive in 2011 – contracts as we have seen with the Ferrari/Kimi situation can be broken if there is a desire and you get the impression that Mercedes don’t want to repeat the experience of not having the best German in their car. Button is only 29 so you could expect him to reasonably have at least 5 years remaining so is there a piece about not so much this deal but the one after and I think the long game is where Button is pitching – at least if he gets in a McLaren now he has a good shot of finishing his career there as they have a history of holding on to their drivers.
So back to the second seat at Mercedes – I think this could be Schumacher, whilst he is 41 next year I think there is a possibility of him coming back to Mercedes for one year until Vettel arrives in 2011. From a Schumacher perspective it would complete the circle going back to where he started with Mercedes, plus the Ross Brawn factor
James, what do you think?

By: Mark D. Johnson

Mark D. Johnson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:03:37 +0000

NH, Ask Kovalainnen if he thinks McLaren is an equal status team.

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:16:33 +0000

Now that Kimi unfortunately has stopped short of confirming its a 100% sabbatical with his manager admitting that Mclaren talks have broken down, its looking like Nick is in the frame for the Mercedes drive.

Thats hardly earth shattering for a team who is hiring Ross Brawn, putting faith in the good engineers at brackley and claiming to be serious title contenders.

Yes it is a surprise if Nick is signed up, not for the quality of that call but for the most laughable decision a team can make.

What on earth are they doing….

This leads us to further believe Ross brawn has no power at all, its all Mercedes who is pulling the strings now. If it truly was Ross brawn calling the shots, he would be the first to grab Kimi over anyone else, the man has genuine admiration for Kimi since a long long time, from the time he was at Ferrari masterminding Schumacher’s titles.

And not for a minute I buy these useless money claims that Kimi and his management are allegedly greedy. Anyone can see Brawn will be strong next year with the 2010 cars already taking shape in their respective factories.

By: Roberto

Roberto — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:26:19 +0000

2+2 = 4. I don´t think Button is playing here, certainly the drivers should know for sometime what´s going on and hey were only a part on the chess game. Simple he Super Britshi team and the Super German team. The real only loser if everything goes according to rumors should be Kimi, but i think he´s money demands and he´s lack of commitment had made him undesirable for any top team, let´s face it if Ferrari dumps a World Champion a reason has to be there.

By: Relativity

Relativity — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:29:24 +0000

A very interesting way of looking at the drivers market. In my opinion Kimi in a Brawn/Silver Arrows will be golden. Haug has shown his affection for Kimi in the past as well.

Expect the unexpected in F1. This waiting game is killing me………