Welcome back Jenson?

[LDM]

Not quite sure what to make of Eric Bouller, just doesn't seem to be world class himself?

[thegreenhell]

fatboy69 said:

McLaren have under-achieved for years so quite what Fred is expecting from McLaren next year, should he move to them, is beyond me.

Far better I would have thought to stay with Ferrari until this time next year & then see what happens at Mercedes & McLaren.

However Fred, being Fred, seems to think that McLaren is the better bet. More championships in him? I doubt it due to the many younger, hungrier drivers in F1 now.

Ferrari haven't given him a car he can win a title with in five years, and assuming he has knowledge of what's in the pipeline there must assume that they still won't be able to provide that to him in the foreseeable future.

If McLaren were sticking along the same trodden path with Merc power then I'd tend to agree that it would likely be no better there, but the upcoming Honda partnership nullifies that thought. If Mclaren continue to underperform with Honda then it will have proven to be a poor gamble, but he'd likely be no worse off than he would be at Ferrari. But it could equally be a genius move that nets him another title or two.

If Ferrari can't get their act together next year, then the only possibilities for titles look to be Mercedes or RBR (if the next Renault engine is up to snuff), and he isn't going to be in one of those cars, so he has to take a punt on something else coming through.

I don't think he can afford to wait and see as far as Honda are concerned. If it turns out the Honda is the thing to have next year and JB and KM can get the job done, then why would they then want to spend big on FA the following year?

[MartG]

Strange how people keep saying Jenson is nearing retiremnent but Alonso is fine for several more years - Jenson is only 6 months older than Alonso FFS, and only started in F1 a season before him

Edited by MartG on Wednesday 15th October 19:06

[Vocal Minority]

boyse7en said:

I think that Button is unfortunate (if that is the right word) to not be a flamboyant driver or have a mercurial temperament. He seems to be a much better driver than he gets the credit for, but lacks the pizzaz or "wow!" factor of some of the other drivers. For some reason, being consistent, not crashing very often and scoring well regularly doesn't seem to count as much as diving into non-available space and crashing out.

I agree entirely.

[thegreenhell]

He's kind of like Damon Hill in that respect. Hopefully he won't end up in an Arrows-type of car next season.

[radical78]

thought there are some new teams coming to F1 next season surely they will need one experienced driver FA?

[aeropilot]

rlw said:

Maybe JB should follow in his dad's footsteps and do Rallycross.........................

That was my 'nice thought' idea as well, and with Villenueve doing some rounds of the new World Rallycross Series this year, the sport isn't short of high profile names, and would be a nice touch to see the Button name back in the sport.

[TuxMan]

Guys does nobody remember Canada 2011. !!! The most amazing GP ever and a stunning drive by JB , I have never shouted and been so exited in a GP ever !!!
No driver has ever done that !! Like I said if he leaves Mclaren I'm done and my money will go on Williams T shirts next year !!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cXCWzBQh8

[DavidY]

TuxMan said:

Guys does nobody remember Canada 2011. !!! The most amazing GP ever and a stunning drive by JB , I have never shouted and been so exited in a GP ever !!!
No driver has ever done that !! Like I said if he leaves Mclaren I'm done and my money will go on Williams T shirts next year !!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cXCWzBQh8

Ahem...John Watson at Detroit, 17th to 1st (1982), John Watson at Long Beach, 22nd to 1st (1983)

[MGJohn]

DavidY said:

TuxMan said:

Guys does nobody remember Canada 2011. !!! The most amazing GP ever and a stunning drive by JB , I have never shouted and been so exited in a GP ever !!!
No driver has ever done that !! Like I said if he leaves Mclaren I'm done and my money will go on Williams T shirts next year !!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cXCWzBQh8

Ahem...John Watson at Detroit, 17th to 1st (1982), John Watson at Long Beach, 22nd to 1st (1983)

Never in the same class as Button's Canada 2011.

[MGJohn]

MartG said:

Strange how people keep saying Jenson is nearing retirement but Alonso is fine for several more years - Jenson is only 6 months older than Alonso FFS, and only started in F1 a season before him

Not strange at all Mart. It's the hype. Consumed avidly by some but, not everybody and certainly not almost all in the sport or paddock by a long chalk.

There are even those who consider Alonso more "deserving" than Button ... ... whatever that means.

All very interesting though this current and prolonged silly season. Bit of a giggle actually.

[Gad-Westy]

MGJohn said:

DavidY said:

TuxMan said:

Guys does nobody remember Canada 2011. !!! The most amazing GP ever and a stunning drive by JB , I have never shouted and been so exited in a GP ever !!!
No driver has ever done that !! Like I said if he leaves Mclaren I'm done and my money will go on Williams T shirts next year !!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cXCWzBQh8

Ahem...John Watson at Detroit, 17th to 1st (1982), John Watson at Long Beach, 22nd to 1st (1983)

Never in the same class as Button's Canada 2011.

My favourite GP by a mile. What's often not mentioned about that race is that he was running dead last after 37 laps of a 70 lap race. Unbelievable story to come through and win it.

[ukaskew]

I'm guessing a few guest drives in various things and plenty of TV work for JB if he doesn't have a drive next season. He could easily become the next Martin Brundle over the next 10 years if he still has the passion to travel to every race.

[The Moose]

Gad-Westy said:

MGJohn said:

DavidY said:

TuxMan said:

Guys does nobody remember Canada 2011. !!! The most amazing GP ever and a stunning drive by JB , I have never shouted and been so exited in a GP ever !!!
No driver has ever done that !! Like I said if he leaves Mclaren I'm done and my money will go on Williams T shirts next year !!!


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cXCWzBQh8

Ahem...John Watson at Detroit, 17th to 1st (1982), John Watson at Long Beach, 22nd to 1st (1983)

Never in the same class as Button's Canada 2011.

My favourite GP by a mile. What's often not mentioned about that race is that he was running dead last after 37 laps of a 70 lap race. Unbelievable story to come through and win it.

Epic race!

I wanna find a download to watch the whole race!

[fatboy69]

I will be irritated immensely if the moaning Spaniard takes JB's seat.

Just don't see the sense in replacing JB with Fred - he says he wants a winning car. At McLaren? Next year? Doubt it to be honest no matter that Honda will be back on board.

Totally different engine concept to the last time, much more complex to get right first time, no decent test sessions or testing between races so they will be on the back foot in 2015.

It's just a stupid move by McLaren if it happens.

If it does then that's my support for them gone.

[1441]

I just watched the short 2011 YouTube clip, I got goosebumps, I don't do goosebumps.

[TuxMan]

1441 said:

I just watched the short 2011 YouTube clip, I got goosebumps, I don't do goosebumps.

Yeh me too !!! Englishman's fighting spirit !!

So who do we E-mail , Facebook , Tweet ect to let Mclaren know we still want Jenson to stay !!

[RichB]

TuxMan said:

Yeh me too !!! Englishman's fighting spirit !! So who do we E-mail , Facebook , Tweet ect to let Mclaren know we still want Jenson to stay !!

Honda

[TheRealFingers99]

Confirmed today that Fred is leaving Ferrari (by Ferrari). http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/29638594

[LordGrover]

Not really - he's the ex-prez isn't he?