Hamilton V Button
Discussion
Put the two in the same car and I reckon Hamilton would be quickest, but not by as much as most people think. I'd be very happy to see Jenson do well as I believe he's served more than his fair share of time in bad cars, I'm happy to see Hamilton do well too but he carries an air of arrogance and superiority that I dont think is necessary or justified - win a couple of world championships first.
I think Button is a good driver who was harshly treated by Williams, then found himself in an uncompetitive car but with a big pay packet, yachts, women and a playboy lifestyle. He is still a good driver but past it in terms of making it.
Hamilton is a good driver with a drive in a competitive car and has every chance of making it, though I feel he needs a team mate like Alonso to get the absolute best out of him.
Would it have been different for Button had he not been dropped by Williams?
They are both way, way better than me.
Hamilton is a good driver with a drive in a competitive car and has every chance of making it, though I feel he needs a team mate like Alonso to get the absolute best out of him.
Would it have been different for Button had he not been dropped by Williams?
They are both way, way better than me.
I'm not a big Hamilton fan, but i can see he has the killer instinct that MS had, it makes the drivers go just the bit faster, get that bit closer to the limit
Button is a great smooth driver, he just lacks that next level edge imo, if he was in McLaren with Hamilton his results would be similar to Kov.
I like Kov, but i think the same, great driver lacking the killer instinct will always be a reg top 8 finisher
Button is a great smooth driver, he just lacks that next level edge imo, if he was in McLaren with Hamilton his results would be similar to Kov.
I like Kov, but i think the same, great driver lacking the killer instinct will always be a reg top 8 finisher
Hi,
I would have to agree with Logie. Button is very accomplished in getting round the circuit in a very organised, smooth, clean way. But this is probably the very same characteristic that detracts from him really being in the top echelon. You have to have that little edge (in most things in life, by and large) to pull you head of all the other competents. Now with Hamilton, yes, I think he's obviously very talented, but it would be interesting to see if he could really drive the hind legs off a crap car. The current and last McLaren have been very very quick cars, and he's slotted in. But Senna's genius came out in '93. Just working on a race by race contract. No Honda engines. His main rival in the best car on the grid (Prost in the Williams), and he gave some of his best perfomances. He transcended the car. I'm sure there are other greats who can similarly be shown as examples, but you get my drift.
Button has never done this, and probably never will. Hamilton hasn't yet.
I would have to agree with Logie. Button is very accomplished in getting round the circuit in a very organised, smooth, clean way. But this is probably the very same characteristic that detracts from him really being in the top echelon. You have to have that little edge (in most things in life, by and large) to pull you head of all the other competents. Now with Hamilton, yes, I think he's obviously very talented, but it would be interesting to see if he could really drive the hind legs off a crap car. The current and last McLaren have been very very quick cars, and he's slotted in. But Senna's genius came out in '93. Just working on a race by race contract. No Honda engines. His main rival in the best car on the grid (Prost in the Williams), and he gave some of his best perfomances. He transcended the car. I'm sure there are other greats who can similarly be shown as examples, but you get my drift.
Button has never done this, and probably never will. Hamilton hasn't yet.
I think it'd be pretty even in terms of pure pace.
Lewis has superb car control but Jenson also has a smooth driving style that works extremely well given the right car.
However, in terms of racing, I think Lewis would come out slightly on top - he can make things happen and take the final step.
If Button had won a race in 03/04 when he was on the podium for virtually every race then I think that would have pushed him onto greater things. As it was, Schumacher was dominant and it never happened.
Still rate Jenson highly though - if Honda ever get their act together and give him a decent car I think he'd do well.
Lewis has superb car control but Jenson also has a smooth driving style that works extremely well given the right car.
However, in terms of racing, I think Lewis would come out slightly on top - he can make things happen and take the final step.
If Button had won a race in 03/04 when he was on the podium for virtually every race then I think that would have pushed him onto greater things. As it was, Schumacher was dominant and it never happened.
Still rate Jenson highly though - if Honda ever get their act together and give him a decent car I think he'd do well.
Muzzer said:
I think it'd be pretty even in terms of pure pace.
Lewis has superb car control but Jenson also has a smooth driving style that works extremely well given the right car.
However, in terms of racing, I think Lewis would come out slightly on top - he can make things happen and take the final step.
If Button had won a race in 03/04 when he was on the podium for virtually every race then I think that would have pushed him onto greater things. As it was, Schumacher was dominant and it never happened.
Still rate Jenson highly though - if Honda ever get their act together and give him a decent car I think he'd do well.
Quoted As Gospel.Lewis has superb car control but Jenson also has a smooth driving style that works extremely well given the right car.
However, in terms of racing, I think Lewis would come out slightly on top - he can make things happen and take the final step.
If Button had won a race in 03/04 when he was on the podium for virtually every race then I think that would have pushed him onto greater things. As it was, Schumacher was dominant and it never happened.
Still rate Jenson highly though - if Honda ever get their act together and give him a decent car I think he'd do well.
Hamilton has more raw speed / racing instinct. He's hungry and fearless (if a little hard in his tyres!). Yes, he's occasionally a bit too cocksure / blase (for my taste at least) but he's still young - you'd be enjoying it too. He may have an amazing car but he's also worked more than half his life to get it, just like many other drivers.
Button has an old head, smooth style (which I like as much as the more attcking ones). But he's lacking motivation in the form of a competitve car (and maybe some performance related pay bonuses!). FWIW, I think he often outperforms the car. He is vastly undersold by lack of something with Renault-pace or faster.
Edited by Diesel Meister on Tuesday 19th August 10:58
MrKipling43 - which part of my comment do we disagree on? The Button or Hamilton bit? IMO Button has never really driven a race that - I feel - he's demolished others, and really gone beyond what the car offers. Really show that he is the equal or better than the rest. As for Hamilton, I think he's obviously very good, but hasn't been tested by a bad car, and (with my Senna analogy) show that he's the best.
Lots of mentions about Buttons smooth style.. Remember Prost? He was known as La Professor as he had a smooth style too, and look how many times he won.
Although if it came to it I'd put my money on Hamilton as he's able to eek that little bit more out of his car.
Could be interesting if they do a race of champions together.
Although if it came to it I'd put my money on Hamilton as he's able to eek that little bit more out of his car.
Could be interesting if they do a race of champions together.
I pretty much agree with what Rob said. Button is a fantastic driver straight out of the Alain Prost mould. Super smooth and controlled and he will hardly ever break the car. He has made some bad team choices (although they would have seemed to be the right decision at the time), for example he could not have predicted Honda losing their minds by firing David Richards after the success of 2004 - a decision they must still be rueing to this day regardless of the presence of Ross Braun! 2004 they were the second/third best car on the grid, since 2005 - abysmal car!
I hope that Braun is able to turn Honda around (and quickly) as Button deserves a shot in a car that is capable of keeping up with Ferrari and Mclaren and then we'll see how good he is.
I hope that Braun is able to turn Honda around (and quickly) as Button deserves a shot in a car that is capable of keeping up with Ferrari and Mclaren and then we'll see how good he is.
tigerkoi said:
MrKipling43 - which part of my comment do we disagree on? The Button or Hamilton bit? IMO Button has never really driven a race that - I feel - he's demolished others, and really gone beyond what the car offers. Really show that he is the equal or better than the rest. As for Hamilton, I think he's obviously very good, but hasn't been tested by a bad car, and (with my Senna analogy) show that he's the best.
There have been moments - for example the 2000 US GP where he fooled the rest of the field into switching to slicks a few laps early, simply because he was able to cope with them. He hasn't really had the chance to put in that type of performance.Jenson is a great driver and is just unfortunate to have had some bad luck recently. As others have said too, his car, although not bad, can't match the McLaren. Button has more experience than Hamilton, but I agree with some of the other posters who have said that Lewis does have an aggressive edge. Perhaps he's a little naive and reckless, perhaps it's just raw talent?! It would be great to see Jenson and Lewis on the same team for a season and I think Jenson would see some greatly deserved results. He's a top bloke too.
kevin ritson said:
tigerkoi said:
MrKipling43 - which part of my comment do we disagree on? The Button or Hamilton bit? IMO Button has never really driven a race that - I feel - he's demolished others, and really gone beyond what the car offers. Really show that he is the equal or better than the rest. As for Hamilton, I think he's obviously very good, but hasn't been tested by a bad car, and (with my Senna analogy) show that he's the best.
There have been moments - for example the 2000 US GP where he fooled the rest of the field into switching to slicks a few laps early, simply because he was able to cope with them. He hasn't really had the chance to put in that type of performance.I was also referring to the 'transcending the car' comment that Tigerkoi made. IIRC China 2007 was a very good performance.
[AJ] said:
His car, although not bad, can't match the McLaren.
Er.... what?! His car's a pile of poo!Edited by MrKipling43 on Tuesday 19th August 11:16
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