Button to McLaren - Good or Bad?

[kalniel]

Well, as much as i'd liked to be proved wrong on this, what makes you think he won't end up in exactly the same position as Alonso was in after his time at Mclaren? He was after all a 2 times world champions and the person most of the pundits seems to say is the best driver. But was made to look ordinary by a rookie. Now that rookie has 3 seasons under him and a world champoinship, and Mclaren have been well known throughout their history for having a 'favorite' driver while looking at the second driver as somewhat of a second class driver. (no matter who that was)

Alonso's expectations where completely blown away - he didn't expect a rookie to be fast, let alone so well integrated with the team, let alone given an equal car. He never recovered from that and it clearly affected his driving. Button is going in knowing all about how good Hamilton is, how well integrated he is, and having had plenty of experience in driving for a team that treats its drivers fairly. Physcologically he's in a much better position - IF he can get the car setup/developed okay.

[Andy3536]

Alonso's expectations where completely blown away - he didn't expect a rookie to be fast, let alone so well integrated with the team, let alone given an equal car. He never recovered from that and it clearly affected his driving. Button is going in knowing all about how good Hamilton is, how well integrated he is, and having had plenty of experience in driving for a team that treats its drivers fairly. Physcologically he's in a much better position - IF he can get the car setup/developed okay.

Not just Alonso though, Coultard said that all the years he was there he was treated as a second class citizen. The team would discuss matters with Hakkinen and talk about what 'we' were going to do, then discuss matters referring to Coultard asking what are 'they' doing.
They have have it ingrained through there history. I certainly hope it'll be different next season, but hope is as far as it goes.

[Vimeous]

I think he'll do pretty well next year. With the removal of refueling the cars are going to get get hard on their tyres at the beginning of the race and jensons style will certainly help out with that.

Spot on. Lewis will need to reign-in his natural exuberance and to preserve tyres the team will need to develop the car in that direction which should play into Jensens hands.


As for the team politics, if there is peace in the McLaren garage I'll be pleasently surprised and they'll likely win the constructors championship!

[kalniel]

Not just Alonso though, Coultard said that all the years he was there he was treated as a second class citizen. The team would discuss matters with Hakkinen and talk about what 'we' were going to do, then discuss matters referring to Coultard asking what are 'they' doing.
They have have it ingrained through there history. I certainly hope it'll be different next season, but hope is as far as it goes.

Perhaps, but I'm more getting at the fact that I think Button, like Coultard, will expect and be able to cope with that, unlike Alonso.

Spot on. Lewis will need to reign-in his natural exuberance and to preserve tyres the team will need to develop the car in that direction which should play into Jensens hands.

Or the other way around.. they develop the car to be really easy on tyres, so Hamilton doesn't destroy them. Then Button can't get any heat into them and falls off.

[Stoo]

As eluded to above, the situation with Button is completely different, he's going in there knowing exactly what he's letting himself in for, he knows Lewis is currently top dog and that it's basically his team, and that he'll have a tough job ahead of him, that's exactly why he's doing it

Button has a different personality to Alonso, and much much different expectations.

[Azzin]

Good move IMO-the added competition of racing against a British driver (a former and reigning World Champ) will do them/F1 a power of good IMO.