Button to McLaren - Good or Bad?

[Vimeous]

So it looks like Jenson's finally made his mind up and jumped-ship to McLaren in a move reminicent of his previous team-swapping shennanigans.

Had Button made the right choice and why?

Will it be Fisichella all over again or do you think he can shine in a car built for someone else?


IMHO it's a poor decision.
Jenson is reknown for his sensitivity to the car so I think it will take him too long to adapt to a car designed for Lewis - if he ever does manage to adapt.
I really really hope I'm wrong!

[digit]

I think its poor that Brawn haven't met his pay demands after he stuck with the team through thick and thin. Plus I think a change will do him good, he has been with Honda for ages?
Gets to work with completely different people, gain new insights etc.
It might turn out to be a what happened to Fisichella in the Ferrari but I really don't think that will happen to him.

[kalniel]

Ask most drivers if they'd take up the chance to drive for McLaren and I think they'd say yes.

The car won't suit him at first, but if it's a decent length contract I think if any team can make a car behave in two different ways it's McLaren.

Kimi's manager said the only car he was interested in driving was a McLaren, but they wouldn't pay his wage demands (on top of the pay off money from Ferrari).

[Grey M@a]

I thought the whole reason why Button had to move on is because Mercedes bought Brawn and they wanted an all German line up for their drivers, with Button not being German I guess he had to go where he thinks has a chance for him to keep his championship hope alive for the next season. Also the money will help.

[Vimeous]

I thought the whole reason why Button had to move on is because Mercedes bought Brawn and they wanted an all German line up for their drivers, with Button not being German I guess he had to go where he thinks has a chance for him to keep his championship hope alive for the next season. Also the money will help.

Norbert Haug (Merc F1 boss) was extremely keen to point out they didn't want an all-German team in an interview on Monday. Maybe they were trying to keep Jensen sweet

For Brawn I think it'll appear worse next year than it would otherwise. With both their experienced front-line drivers gone there's a huge continuity gap in the development of the car.
If they do grab Heidfeld then at least they plug that gap with plenty of experience.

[GheeTsar]

It'll be good for McLarren - they can expect the lion's share of media coverage next season, pleasing/attracting sponsors. It'll also be pretty good for Jenson - it appears he will have a good car next season, possibly better than the Mercedes team car and the extra cash will help his ego.

I think he'll struggle to match Lewis in pace though. I can't see him winning the championship again. Second would be a good result though.

[midzt]

Lets hope they'll be a British GP next season then eh?

[circuitmonkey]

Hopefully they'll make Hamilton play second fiddle to Button, the girlfriends mother thinks it would be good for him, she thinks Hamilton is a bit of a premadona!
But a pair of brit drivers, racing for an English manufacturer. I agree with midtz, lets hope for a british GP, London street race anyone?

[99Flake]

I think it was the sensible move under the circumstances. Brawn were dragging their heals and really weren't showing much determination to reward Button.

Would have been nice to see him stay but I think he has gone to a team that can build him a good car. I just hope that he gets the equal treatment that McLaren always say they give.

Rumours are now going round that Schumacher may sign for Mercedes (Brawn and Schumacher together again!).

[Andy3536]

Terrible move, he'll see his career go down hill. There's no way he'll get the same results as Hamilton. He'll then become disillusioned with the team and the Mclaren golden boy wondering if Hamiltons getting the better of it.
Mclaren have a history of it, if the 2 times world champ Alonso went to Mclaren and was made to look ordinary in Hamiltons first season, what chance has Button got? As much as i like button, i can't help but feel Buttons not quite in the same league as the likes of Hamilton and Alonso.

He should have taken the offer at brawn/Mercedes while it was still being offered. Mclaren just need someone to accept playing second fiddle.

[Stoo]

Most people have been panning him for years in F1 (certainly the armchair racers have), even after showing an amazing amount of loyalty, bringing home both championships, and showing some incredible talent, he *still* gets panned by the futon fanboys and some of the industry pundits.

Some people are still flogging the dead horse of money - It's absolutely *not* about money - he's actually on less money than if he had re-signed and continued to race for Brawn/Mercedes.

It's fairly clear from what he has said in numerous interviews already that he wants to prove his critics and doubters wrong by taking on Lewis in his own garage - He knows it's going to be the challenge of a lifetime, and that's exactly why he's doing it.

Jenson knows how to fight, how to bring home the car and the points, and knows that McLaren are one of the best development teams on the grid, it's not going to be easy, but he's under no illusion that it will be.

He also has a 3 year contract, which appears to be getting rather scarce in F1 these days, and that Mercedes were only offering a 1 year dear with a 2nd year option shows who valued him for the long run more.

Good on him I say - at the very least he'll be another DC for them, but with the added bonus that he has already won the ultimate prize already. But he has the option with hard work and determination to indelibly leave his mark and stand up there with the other great names in the history of the sport

It was the only real sensible career move - he could well have been left high and dry in Mercedes in a year or so without the option to jump to another competitive team - he now has a minimum of another three years at the sharp end.

[MadduckUK]

gets panned by the futon fanboysed to race for brawn/mercedes.
And some of the industry pundits.

Some people are still flogging the dead horse of money - it's absolutely *not* about money - he's actually on less money than if he had re-signed and continu
it's fairly clear from what he has said in numerous interviews already that he wants to prove his critics and doubters wrong by taking on lewis in his own garage - he knows it's going to be the challenge of a lifetime, and that's exactly why he's doing it.

Jenson knows how to fight, how to bring home the car and the points, and knows that mclaren are one of the best development teams on the grid, it's not going to be easy, but he's under no illusion that it will be.

He also has a 3 year contract, which appears to be getting rather scarce in f1 these days, and that mercedes were only offering a 1 year dear with a 2nd year option shows who valued him for the long run more.

Good on him i say - at the very least he'll be another dc for them, but with the added bonus that he has already won the ultimate prize already. But he has the option with hard work and determination to indelibly leave his mark and stand up there with the other great names in the history of the sport

it was the only real sensible career move - he could well have been left high and dry in mercedes in a year or so without the option to jump to another competitive team - he now has a minimum of another three years at the sharp end.

well said that man

[Andy3536]

Most people have been panning him for years in F1 (certainly the armchair racers have), even after showing an amazing amount of loyalty, bringing home both championships, and showing some incredible talent, he *still* gets panned by the futon fanboys and some of the industry pundits.

Some people are still flogging the dead horse of money - It's absolutely *not* about money - he's actually on less money than if he had re-signed and continued to race for Brawn/Mercedes.

It's fairly clear from what he has said in numerous interviews already that he wants to prove his critics and doubters wrong by taking on Lewis in his own garage - He knows it's going to be the challenge of a lifetime, and that's exactly why he's doing it.

Jenson knows how to fight, how to bring home the car and the points, and knows that McLaren are one of the best development teams on the grid, it's not going to be easy, but he's under no illusion that it will be.

He also has a 3 year contract, which appears to be getting rather scarce in F1 these days, and that Mercedes were only offering a 1 year dear with a 2nd year option shows who valued him for the long run more.

Good on him I say - at the very least he'll be another DC for them, but with the added bonus that he has already won the ultimate prize already. But he has the option with hard work and determination to indelibly leave his mark and stand up there with the other great names in the history of the sport

It was the only real sensible career move - he could well have been left high and dry in Mercedes in a year or so without the option to jump to another competitive team - he now has a minimum of another three years at the sharp end.

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)

Even if Button can show that he can compete in a car the same as Hamilton, how's he supposed to show it if he feels Mclaren are treating him as a second class driver.
My criticism of the move is as much a criticism of the team ethics of Mclaren as the difference in the drivers. So even if Button is a truely great driver, is he going to get given the chance at Mclaren? With Mclaren as the second driver it's not just a question of talent.

[this_is_gav]

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 was treated like absolute **** by McLaren (the hierarchy certainly), but you have to assume that things are changing since Dennis left. McLaren were to replace a 2nd-string driver with either Kimi or Button - either way they were going to have 2 of the past 3 champions. That's the exact opposite to the stance Dennis took throughout his career - in nearly 30 years at the top, Dennis only ever had 2 world champions at his team at the same time in 2 of those years - Prost and Rosberg in 1986 and Senna and Prost in 1989.

[Andy3536]

Alonso was treated like absolute **** by McLaren (the hierarchy certainly), but you have to assume that things are changing since Dennis left. McLaren were to replace a 2nd-string driver with either Kimi or Button - either way they were going to have 2 of the past 3 champions. That's the exact opposite to the stance Dennis took throughout his career - in nearly 30 years at the top, Dennis only ever had 2 world champions at his team at the same time in 2 of those years - Prost and Rosberg in 1986 and Senna and Prost in 1989.

Scrub assume, and replace it with hope

I would certainly hope the idea of a British team with British drivers works. Certainly be more interest to watch it, but if Mclaren treat him like they did Alonso it will not make for good viewing.

[ma9mwah2]

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.