Jenson Button’s contract

[Likes Fast Cars]

So what is the real story here?

Button says to McLaren: “Take up your (1 year) option”; nothing signed yet.

As all the pundits are saying, this should be the easiest contract discussion in F1 (easier even than Mark and Red Bull).

Who's up for a good airing of possible conspiracy theories?

[Mini1275]

Money.

[Rude-boy]

Mini1275 said:

Money.

As well as the fact that there is a certain pull of working for a team with brighter paintwork before you hang up your overalls, if only the contract has the right clauses in it about equality.

[davepoth]

Likes Fast Cars said:

McLarens are IMHO the best-looking cars on the grid. Beats *** chariots any day.

But don't McLaren pay massive winning bonuses? I've heard numbers of $1Mn for a win. On that basis and whichever way you look at it money shouldn't be a barrier.

Money's not a barrier - he's got that Head and Shoulders endorsement! If Ferrari was on the table I would think he'd be thinking hard about it.

Edited by GlenMH on Saturday 10th September 04:51

[stuttgartmetal]

Every F1 drver would like to drive for Ferrari. Its history.

[Henry Fiddleton]

Dont see why he shouldnt try Ferrari in honesty.

Although I do like the Mac current line up; and like seeing JB and LH in a British team.

Alonso is different kettle of fish to Hammy though. Alonso is quick and consistent, so may have JB licked in all departments.

[Likes Fast Cars]

So OK, I remember DC saying a few years ago that if he had his time over again he would have stuck at Williams for a chance to be in a World Championship winning car, instead of leaving to follow the money.

Let's take that perspective one step further; Ferrari for all their history, etc., yes sure, all drivers want to drive for them but if you're already in a (better) race-winning car which is better than a Ferrari, and with a team who are right behind you (okay there is also Lewis there but from what we as the public see it seems there is parity of equipment and room for both of them at Macca Inc) why would you change?

Pre-empting one of the counter-arguments: JB has already won one WC so that's not an issue for him, but why not stick at McLaren and try for another (which he has said he would like to do)? Ferrari on current form - and with the presence of a certain despicable, dishonest and arrogant excuse of a person from a nearby country who currently drives for them (under a long-term contract) - would surely make any Ferrari option less attractive for JB?

And it is JB publicly saying come on, sign me up.

Would love to be a fly on the wall.....

[Rude-boy]

Likes Fast Cars said:

{Alonso} would surely make any Ferrari option less attractive for JB?

I don't think so.

He is a different man to Lewis and I think that he would cope far better there than almost any other top driver out there.

And he would be able ot sit back as former WDC, Renault, Williams, BAR, Honda, Brawn, McLaren and Ferrari driver.

In his shoes I think it would be a tough call to make, especially as he has given lie to the myth that you can't walk into a team set up around a WDC team mate and perform at least as well, if not better then they can. TWICE!

I was a big Button doubter, now I am happy to have eaten my hat in 2009.

[Likes Fast Cars]

Rude-boy said:

I don't think so.

He is a different man to Lewis and I think that he would cope far better there than almost any other top driver out there.

And he would be able ot sit back as former WDC, Renault, Williams, BAR, Honda, Brawn, McLaren and Ferrari driver.

In his shoes I think it would be a tough call to make, especially as he has given lie to the myth that you can't walk into a team set up around a WDC team mate and perform at least as well, if not better then they can. TWICE!

I was a big Button doubter, now I am happy to have eaten my hat in 2009.

Have always liked Button and hoped he could eventually win a WDC, I know there were a lot of doubters for a while, and nice to see a lot of them are happy for him. He deserves his success.
I loved the 2009 season, great story for Brawn, and JB and Rubens.

[stuttgartmetal]

Honda are still kicking themselves.
They've never won an F1 World Championship, and they gave it all away that year.

I too was a JB doubter, and earlier on in his career he did make some awful decisions, but give the man his due respect, he certainly knows his shampoo.

[llewop]

Rude-boy said:

In his shoes I think it would be a tough call to make, especially as he has given lie to the myth that you can't walk into a team set up around a WDC team mate and perform at least as well, if not better then they can. TWICE!

He's already done it twice

I think and hope he will stay with McLaren, the discussion being how much to extend the deal further....

I'm sure it's just that as the season goes on the media keep asking the question so that's the only answer he can give since the option is on McLaren's side, not his.

[fioran0]

I think he may have been getting his slights confused and put a G instead of a P. Not sure how folk calling Romans it makes it acceptable, people have been calling other people d!cks for years but I doubt it will get you far in the next job interview but that might just be me.
I also couldn't find any reference to origin dating back much outside 20th century for either term but that's just in books so what do they know.
I thought I'd stumbled into the Jim davidson forum. OP is just 20 years too late for a glittering comedy career.

Edited by fioran0 on Friday 9th September 16:04

[Likes Fast Cars]

So let's all just say beats Ferraris any day.

[rubystone]

Very strange - there I was, chugging a Mohito in Laska last week when in walks this Branson-esque chap ordering Krug by the bucket-load (nothing as vulgar as Cristal there), celebrating the 2 year extension of a contract signed with "some chaps in Surrey"

I didn't put two and two together until this slim chap on a blue road bike with matching blue lycra (yes, really!) props his bike up at the front door and joins this chap for a glass. Both seemed jolly pleased with each other. No one from Proctor and Gamble was there AFAIK.

[Mr Gearchange]

llewop said:

Rude-boy said:

In his shoes I think it would be a tough call to make, especially as he has given lie to the myth that you can't walk into a team set up around a WDC team mate and perform at least as well, if not better then they can. TWICE!

He's already done it twice

.

Nice selective highlighting there Batman - you want to read what Rude Boy wrote again?

[ChiChoAndy]

While he is driving as competitively as he can, he should stay with McLaren, and only head to Ferrari when he is willing to be a number 2, and be the constancy they may need in the constrictors championship. I think whilst Alonso is there, there will be either too much friction for them to be equals, or it will go Alonso's way, and JB will be left with the scraps.

Either way, the ball is very much in Buttons corner. He has shown he still has the cahones to race at the very, very top level.

[weyland yutani]

Have you seen Buttons interview with Kravits on the beeb website. It sounds like Kravitz is implying that Hamilton is fastest by default (which is true really) and Button doesnt seem too pleased.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/148458...

[ChiChoAndy]

can't view outside of the UK... Any chance of a decent run through?

Did Button himself not say that Lewis may well be quicker over a lap, but a grand prix isn't on over 1 lap, or words to that effect?

[Likes Fast Cars]

Just saw this on BBC

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/148550...

But Whitmarsh said: "I can guarantee you that he will be with us next year"

[stuttgartmetal]

Jenson is just so polite, he's too much of a gentleman to say hes better than Lewis, althoguh undoubtedly he thinks he is. All good F1 drivers have that inner self belief, good, its what makes winners. He's got the momentum right now. I met Ted Kravitz in the paddock in 2009 just after qualifying.He was standing by himself waiting for the drivers to come out post qualifying. Not only is he a scruffy indivudual, sloppy black jeans and black doc martins, he's ignorant. How's it going Ted? he virtually blanked me. I subsequently have no time for him. His questioning to Jenson in that clips just a bit too cocky for my liking, Ayrton would have just smiled, and given a question back, such as, why aren't you in the commentary box with Martin? and laughed, before exiting. Ted may well be overestimating his importance. I felt Jenson threw the shutters down on him.