So... Button for the Drivers Championship?

[Aldo]

Now, I know its a bit early for this but I have a good feeling for Jenson Button to win the Drivers Championship this year
Brawn GP appear to be dominating so far, and Button has put in some excellent performances
So... could it really be his year?
Or... have I just jinxed him?
Cheers
Aldo
EDIT: The second option in the poll means that he will mess it up. I should have made that clearer

 

[Ardius]

He has all thats needed, so yeah, why not? He certainly has the car and the team to do it. The brilliant strategist at the pit wall helps a load.

His driving is everything needed, fast or cautious when needed, today was a great showing of that - with all those problems with cooling and no FFA (front flap adjustment) he still kept cool, and brought the car home to a great win. His smooth style seems to suit the car well, only really upsetting him in wet races - but even then, he is consistent enough to hang about for some good points.

So far he has been the most consistent high scorer and Brawn have finished both cars in the points (not to mention good points) in all 4 races. Its early days to be saying that this consistency will carry through the year but it gives them a significant advantage.

I think the main thing thats currently playing into Jenson's hands is that his apparent main rivals are taking hits out of each other attempting to catch him, Vettel and the Toyotas are battling each other and Rubens each race and are not consistently finishing high up (though I expect both Seb and Rubens to fix this soon). The McLaren of Hamilton looks to be a consistent menace to the points positions, denying certain drivers much needed points at times. If this continues, then Jenson will take this championship easily, with his closest rival not taking enough points because of his competitors.

I think his only weakness is a tendencey to let people past too easily sometimes, but its a very minor weakness when you have a great car to play around with strategies especially when he's apparently so able to put down the fast laps to jump people between pits.
Also, there may be a worry for Brawn later in terms of reliability, it will be interesting to see if they can keep it up, as I heard that Ross has aimed most of the budget at development and a lack of spare parts is apparent. I can't really tell who is doing well in terms of keeping their engine supply healthy for later in the season but I'm assuming Ross knows what he is doing here. Really, most of the problems facing Jenson are overcome by Ross Brawn's genius.

 

[Aldo]

Wow, you know a helluva lot more about F1 than me
Do you watch it every time live?
and thanks for the in depth answer 👍

 

[Ardius]

Yup, miss a race, you miss an excellent overtake these days, I used to watch it all the time pre-2001 but the Schumacher years were way too dull. 2005 and beyond though improved and now we are back to the point we were at in 1999, where fantastic action can happen anywhere and at any time! Even at the dull tracks. You'd have a hard time making me miss the qualifying and practice sessions, let alone the race!

I've been a fan of Button since his debut in 2000, as I needed a new driver to support after Damon quit. But its been hard up until now to support him, so I'm glad he finally has a chance to prove something unlike so many good drivers before him.

 

[Aldo]

Yeah pretty much the same for me
It started getting far too monotonous in the seasons up until this year
I was a bit sceptical at the start of the season cause I was thinking, it'll be the same old same old, Mclaren and Ferrari dominating. But with Ferrari on only 3 points after 4 races its really interesting
I watch the races avidly now
Have you heard all the stuff about the chances of there being no British Grand Prix next year(I think) yeah?
That would be a real shame if there wasn't one

 

[Ardius]

Have you heard all the stuff about the chances of there being no British Grand Prix next year(I think) yeah?
That would be a real shame if there wasn't one

Well, lets try to keep this on topic, but yeah, it will obviously be a huge shame if we lose that GP. Its been on the calendar from the beginning without interrupt and some of the best races in F1 history have been at the British Grand Prix. Not to mention how much the teams are based on our small isles from either a management or engineering view. Plus the fact that we are the most successful nation in the sport and it kind of goes against the whole point the main audience is based in Europe.....

The Government aren't going to intervene though, I agree with the thoughts that its a bit stupid we sunk millions into the olympics which happen only once and I doubt many people here are really that interested in personally hosting it. But still, there is a recession, and they have already started paying for the olympics, so nothing can be done now.
I just hope Bernie lets us have Silverstone back as there is nothing wrong with it beyond him not liking the BRDC and the rediculous fees.

 

[Aldo]

yeah, the government should intervene
Imagine how many pound coins you could scrape together from the cracks in the seats in the houses of parliament or commons or whatever it is
But yeah, on topic is good
you reckon Button will get on the podium next week
I do

 

[Antti-san]

I thought they were going to stage the next year's British GP at Donington Park?

 

[Ardius]

I thought they were going to stage the next year's British GP at Donington Park?

Its under doubts - financial troubles. Hence why Bernie has made it clear again he isn't interested in going back to Silverstone and that the British GP may fall off the calendar just like the French GP and possibly now the German GP before it.

And Button for a podium at Catalunya? Possibly, but its even more unknown than Australia as many teams (including Brawn) are updating their cars extensively for Spain.

 

[Aldo]

Yeah thats what I meant to refer to
the fact that there might not be enough cash to goo ahead with Donington
Is the race at Magny Cours not pretty histtoric as well? as is the German GP?
Although are there not two ones in germany, one being the European Grand Prix. and the other the German proper
ahh, didnt know about the updates, was that mentioned at the end of todays program or is it on the F1 forum online?

 

[homeforsummer]

Where's the "I hope so, but probably a little too early to say" voting option? Because I'd go for that.

Button certainly seems to be showing everything that's needed to win a championship and I certainly hope he does so, but then a couple of other drivers have also shown the speed and consistancy needed, and not just this season.

Much as I'd like to see Button take a comfortable title to save my heart the punishment it got in the final race last year, what I really want to see as a real fan of the sport are proper, clean, exciting battles between Jenson and Sebastian, in the same vein as those we used to see between Mansell and Senna (both drivers who had massive respect for one another), or even Hill and Schuey (Hill still being the only driver who properly challenged Michael in cars of roughly equal performance).

So - I think Button can do it and I certainly hope he does it, but I also hope that Vettel doesn't make it easy for him.

 

[Andy GT]

Where is the "Let some more rounds past, then we talk about this" option?

 

[Aldo]

Where is the "Let some more rounds past, then we talk about this" option?

To quote my own first post

I know its a bit early for this but

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Where's the "I hope so, but probably a little too early to say" voting option? Because I'd go for that.

Same for me. Right now, the most important thing for Jenson to do is bank as many points as possible. Brawn get their upgrade in time for Catalunya, and he's going to have to make the most of it because the general consensus is that Sebastian Vettel is going to be the leader of the chase to catch him. Red Bull won't get new parts until Monaco, which means Button has just one race to take the advantage. Possibly two; if Brawn have a strong showing on the streets of the principality, they're going to be hard to catch. Anyone will, because that's just Monaco.

So yeah, I want to see Button win. He's been the driver I've supported for years, and if the World Championship were awarded to the person most deserving of it, he and Rubens Barrichello would be the favourites.

 

[Lofasz]

The numbers don't lie - he's got a nice lead going into the 5th race. Both Brawn cars have scored consistent good points (as Ardius already stated). It's there's to loose, and there's plenty of time for them to do it.

I have no crystal ball, but the other teams are bound to tighten the gap, and might even pass the Brawns in performance. Its just a matter of how soon that potentially happens. I don't see Brawn moving out of the top 8 anytime soon. So, their lead won't go away too quickly, if ever.

I'd be happy to see Button win the drivers championship, but I'd be disappointed if he had it clinched, many races before the end of the season. I'd like to see him have to work for it, fighting off some close competition.

Great season so far, and I haven't even seen any of favorite tracks yet.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

The numbers don't lie - he's got a nice lead going into the 5th race. Both Brawn cars have scored consistent good points (as Ardius already stated). It's there's to loose, and there's plenty of time for them to do it.

Discretion is the better part of valour. It's easy to say that he's got, what eleven points on Barichello and twelve on Vettel? But if Button were to DNF and Vettel win in the next race, Button's lead is slashed to just two points in one fell swoop. You can bet that Brawn will be pushing to get as many points as possible over the next two rounds because once we get to Turkey and the circuit becomes wide enough to pass, the full effect of the RB5's new aerodynamics could come into force and be very bad news for the boys from Brackley.

 

[Peter]

I can see a Vettel vs. Button for the drivers title. Button won't have the lead in the points standing forever. It's going to constantly switch between the 2.

 

[Hyst]

I hope Barrichello gets it, for his sake.

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Button won't have the lead in the points standing forever. It's going to constantly switch between the 2.

I don't think they're going to be constantly exchanging blows throughout the season the way you seem to be making out. Given the performance of the two drivers so far and the twelve-point difference between the them, the leader of the championship is, at most, going to change maybe once or twice throughout the season.

 

[TheCracker]

I'm just glad we are even talking about a Button vs. Vettel championship battle.

New (F1) World Order FTW!!! 👍

 

[Ardius]

I hope Barrichello gets it, for his sake.

Indeed, I hope Rubens gets some wins this year. He's doing a sterling job so far though of bringing in the points consistently. Just needs to qualify better though I'd be tempted to say Jenson has him beat already judging by race by race performance so far.

 

[PeterJB]

Vettel FTW!

 

[J-PaP]

I can't give Button the championship after 4 races. Look at 07 season and how much Kimi came back after halfway through the season. The Brawns are quick and so far are dominating but not by enough to be impossible to beat. Vettel should give him a good run for his money and both are very much deserving of a championship.

 

[Aldo]

Bump...
Do any more people think he can do it now?

 

[Alex.]

The options for the poll aren't the best if I'm honest.

However, barrichello FTW!

 

[Aldo]

the second option means that he will mess it up btw... should have made that clearer

 

[Ardius]

All he needs to do is keep 1 place behind Barrichello in every race and he's sorted. Not a lot to ask but like the famous Murray Walker saying goes - anything can happen in Formula 1 and it usually does!

 

[yeti]

All he needs to do is keep 1 place behind Barrichello in every race and he's sorted. Not a lot to ask but like the famous Murray Walker saying goes - anything can happen in Formula 1 and it usually does!

Even better position now... Rubens has to take more than 5 points out of button each race...

Jenson has also won more races than rubens can - so Rubens has to beat him on points.

So if Rubens wins the next 3 - that's 30 points - jenson can come in 4th for each race - and still win the drivers championship. (4th = 5 points right? (10,8,6,5,4,3,2,1))

C.

 

[Tired Tyres]

Or just score 5 more points than Barrichello in the next round and win the title in Suzuka.

 

[killanite]

I will be very surprised if Button doesn't win this championship. I've heard nothing about how many engines he's got left in comparison to rubens though.. that 8 engine limit might make things interesting.