Jenson Button

[medwayjon]

Lovely not to have adverts, 100% agree on that and it has made all the difference.

Glad they returned the services of Brundle, and equally glad they ditched James Allen, he never was all that good to me.

Cant wait until malaysia now, will again be betting on button and also going to stick an ayrton on Vettel for a podium.

I also won on Trulli podium today at 8/1, thankfully the bookies paid out on the result at the chequered flag.

 

[Andy]

Mansell

How many times did Mansell win the F1 World title compared to Senna?

Who has more race victories?

Who has more pole positions?

Most wins at Monaco?

Enough said me thinks to say it was a boy trying to compete with a legand.

Andy

 

[SS2]

Wasn't it a joy watching the full race without adverts disrupting things???

Yup, a vast improvement well done BBC. I can happily live without James Allan, Johnathan Legard (spelling ?) seems reasonable enough but still not a patch on Murray Walker.

I used to support Coulthard but now he has retired I enjoyed watching today's race without specifically supporting anyone. Button, obviously, did well. Barichello was lucky, Hamilton showed great skill to end up 3rd after Trulli's punishment. Rosberg and Alonso also worth watching.

 

[medwayjon]

Read Murray Walkers autobiography.

What a read, the man is a legend.

 

[haplesshacker]

Got up for it this morning, well I was up with the newborn anyway. Great to see the guys at Brawn GP do so well, especially Jenson.

As for the colour scheme of their cars. I love it. Lack of sponsors decals, and the plain white / lime green colours made it the best looking car on the grid. Mind you, I was surprised to see Henri Llyod supplying the clothing, as they were / are primeraly known as providing quality technical yachting kit, before the days of high street fashion.

Just hope the cars don't move away from the current colour scheme after the 'Virgin' deal.

The result. The two front row cars finishing 1st and 2nd, might sound boring and predictable, but it in no way takes into account Rubens 'situations' at all.

 

[viscount17]

Much better viewing and a much better race to watch,

at last we had two guys who weren't afraid to show how much winning meant (though Barrichello was lucky to finish where he did). (and DC, who is a guy who would know, reckoned that Jensen is one of the smoothest drivers in the business)

not sure what the argument over the diffuser is, other than that there is one, but they should be safe as Ferrari can't benefit from a decision.

the issue over Toyotas rear wing seemed odd - don't they check these things before they allow them on the track?

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Did I miss something? I'm sure when BBC were promoting the new season they said Murray Walker would be back doing the commentary.

I enjoyed it so much more than on ITV and a credit to Button. Another top bloke (he was often at Honda Racing when they were based at Bracknell - my wife worked in the ofices next door and use to see all the big units rolling out). I thought Hamilton did well to come through from 18th on the grid. Looks like the makings of a decent season if the authorities let the drivers get on with it.

 

[Andy]

Its still a procession though, very little attacking driving and overtaking.

Give me 2 wheels anytime.

Andy

 

[Cernunnos]

Talking about Nigel Mansell, did anyone see the seniors tour for all the ex-F1 drivers where Mansell ran away with it nearly every race in cars that were all the same. Quite thrilling had the races been longer.

As for Senna he was the real deal much as some drivers from the 50's, 60's & 70's were the real deal before technology took over too much.

I also Believe if Eddie irvine had been racing 15 or 20 years before he entered F1 then He would be remebered far more, as he was a natural too.

 

[KeefG]

So Glad to see Hamilton not winning, I have no time for him whatsoever, he is basically Ron Dennis' little puppet and hasnt had to work for anything throughout his career. When other kids were turning up at kart events in dads's Sierra and kipping in tents, mr Golden Boy and his dad were living in a McLaren sponsored Mobile Palace. He has the had the best of everything since day 1 and now he hasnt, lets see how long before he cracks on the track or indeed spits his dummy out at McLaren.

Button has really showed his class, he stayed loyal to Honda, could have left when Honda finished as he had offers on the table both in europe and in the states. Brawn took over and Button had to take a £15m pay cut or leave, he again showed his loyalty and today, delivered the goods with a fine drive.

What an absolute crock of [****]!

Lewis rose through the ranks in karting from the age of 7, he didnt get signed by McLaren until he was 13 and even then he was one of a number of young drivers on McLarens books, if you believe that he turned up for karting events in a 'McLaren sponsored mobile palace' then you're even more bitter than I at first thought. He started in Formula Renault at 16 and had the use of McLaren facilities then, which as a race driver, you would expect would you not?

To suggest that Lewis has had everything easy and handed to him on a plate gift wrapped is ridiculous. He had the same machinery as the other lads there karting, he just knew how to drive it better. His career record rising through the ranks speaks for itself Jon and you can't deny that. He is a special driver....starting from 18th today with a car seriously lacking in pace and finishing 3rd speaks volumes i'd say!!! I'm sure will eventually eclipse Schumacher's records and maybe 1 day you might show him the respect he fully deserves?

As for Button, can you please direct me to actual quotes from Jensen himself regarding this alleged pay cut and other offers....please dont tell me you actually believe what the Daily Mail reports

Over the closed season i saw & read numerous interviews with Jensen, and not once did he ever mention any other firm contract offers from other teams and not once has he actually stated he has taken a pay cut. Yes its nice that he won, and i hope the diffuser situation doesnt take the win away from him as that would be an injustice, but please dont come on here spouting a load of nonsense about what Lewis did and what Jensen did, that is unless you can come up with some cold hard facts that nobody else knows about?

 

[medwayjon]

McLaren gave him the best of everything from the moment he signed as a teenager. They sponsored his karting activities from the moment he signed and no, the hamiltons did not slum it like the majority of the other karting kids.

Hamilton is a good driver, no doubt or he wouldnt have got where he is. My point is that without the endless mclaren £££'s behind him from childhood, he wouldnt be where he is. I respect him as a driver, but not as a person, the day he is not Ron Dennis' little media puppet is the day I will respect that.

Button actually confirmed the pay cut himself, he had the option of a huge pay-off from Honda but wanted to stay loyal to the team he had been with for so long and stay racing in a car he had confidence in.

BTW, Jenson had offers from the Indy Series in the states, but also from the World Touring Car Championship.

Where did this info come from? A highly ranked man at a certain engineering works in Northants.

 

[USER1999]

Hamilton is a top driver, he got an early deal, and has been good enough to keep it, fair play to him. These things are never as easy as they seem.

He has been coached in what to say, wow, so has every young sportsman, Rory Mac included. No one is moaning about him.

Every top driver has manipulated his way into a winning car.
It is the way F1 works, like it or not. Do you really think motorsport (2 or 4 wheels) has ever been any different? Why did Senna move to Williams? Prost/Mansell to Ferrari?

Buttons problem so far wasn't lack of talent, it was lack of ability to manuever himself into a god team. That is part of the skill needed to be at the top.

 

[Herbie]

I think Mansell was a great driver, one of the best ever in a time where I believe it was a little more competitive from an agressive driver angle.he is also a very good golfer, I believe a +1 at one time.

Button for me is better than Hamilton and only circumstances job offers and choices kept him away from more podiums or even the championship.I hope he carries his success and ability throughout the season, he has the right man behind him.

 

[madandra]

Senna was fearless and Mansell was more calculating in his driving style. Back then it was all about the driver and they had all the clowt when it came to a Grand Prix but now because of the vast amounts fo cash and sponsorship involved they are reluctant to have a go up the inside or brake late due to the consequencies and threat of legal action and also Mr Mosley bending you over a barrel but, eh, allegedly.

 

[Herbie]

Hamilton is a top driver, he got an early deal, and has been good enough to keep it, fair play to him. These things are never as easy as they seem.

He has been coached in what to say, wow, so has every young sportsman, Rory Mac included. No one is moaning about him.

Every top driver has manipulated his way into a winning car.
It is the way F1 works, like it or not. Do you really think motorsport (2 or 4 wheels) has ever been any different? Why did Senna move to Williams? Prost/Mansell to Ferrari?

Buttons problem so far wasn't lack of talent, it was lack of ability to manuever himself into a god team. That is part of the skill needed to be at the top.

Yeah on two wheels you have to win 4 world championships before you get any medal from HRH.

 

[MVP]

yes well done jenson, and well done bbc.. about the best thing they done in recent times show a decent sport and all of it on tv now bring the football back.

 

[Andy]

HNJ,

Foggie may have won 4 WSB Titles but he never had the balls to try his hand at MotoGP, the premier class in 2 wheels. For that he will never be rated as one of the best in my opinion.

Andy

 

[HartleyHare]

I'm happy to see Jenson winning and in what looks like a competitive car for the first time in a long while, though it may have been a very interesting finish if Kubica hadn't have shot himself (and Vettel) in the foot.
FWIW I reckon we have another potential Senna/prost/schumacher of the future in Hamilton. Like him or not (i'm not his biggest fan personality wise) he is phenomenal. in a sport that has become increasingly sterile he wants to "race" he is a natural talent and however he got where he is right now, he deserves to be there and in a competitive car.
As for the coverage by the BBC it was okay, nothing to shout about. though I reckon they'll slowly run it into the ground like they do with all there sports coverage.
it's an outdated and archaic corporation and the way it's funded is as far as i'm concerned nothing short of legalised robbery.

 

[Herbie]

HNJ,

Foggie may have won 4 WSB Titles but he never had the balls to try his hand at MotoGP, the premier class in 2 wheels. For that he will never be rated as one of the best in my opinion.

Andy

Thats not the reason why he didnt do moto gp.
He competed in a world class motor sport and won an unpresidented 4 times and may have been 5 if he hadn't broke himself.He held a TT lap record for god knows how long and competed in the TT, something the vast majority of GP riders wouldn't do(or would this be 'no balls for it' ?)
He deserved an award as much as if not more than others in my opinion, I have met him a number of times and dont like the man, but as far as racing goes, he is a world beater over and over, so surely deserves recognition for this?

 

[Smiffy]

There are some cracking drivers out there at the moment.
Hamilton, Kubica, Vettel, Massa and Alonso are the pick of the bunch and I reckon Vettel will go on to smash Schumachers record over the coming years. He is a fantastic driver in an inferior car, (compared to McLaren, BMW and Ferrari). He has youth on his side, and is very brave and fearless. I think he is a breath of fresh air in the sport (and no, I don't fancy him)....