Is Button good for McLaren?

[ace007]

As much as this question will trigger vivid answers, I would like to raise it. Perez has shown some interesting pace there and I genuinely question whether Button is pushing enough in that car, especially in qualifying.

Do we need some more fire there?

[Paradise City]

I think Mclaren have maneuvered themselves into a bit of corner with the drivers they've would up with. Button is a worthy F1 driver but his form can be very topsy turvy, Perez carries promise but isn't seasoned yet. Mclaren would be entitled to be confused as to where they are at with their car. I think both Button or Perez would do well at Mclaren with a commanding driver to direct the team.

[andy666]

9-3 to Jenson in the races and 6-6 in qualifying . I think we also need to take into consideration how doggy the car is this season ,and when Jenson does not have the car beneath him well we all know , but saying that the results could be worse ! I just hope Mclaren have learnt lessons this year and the car is a stormer next year then we may see who is the quicker .

[Marbot]

That's what we all wanted! Another driver thread.

[JeremySmith]

Originally Posted by ace007

As much as this question will trigger vivid answers, I would like to raise it. Perez has shown some interesting pace there and I genuinely question whether Button is pushing enough in that car, especially in qualifying.

Do we need some more fire there?

No we need a car ...

[Knowlesy]

Perez is a somewhat unknown quantity really, still. And Button needs a perfect car to do anything.

Not the ideal situation for a top team like McLaren.

[bella]

in a way, button's almost an unknown quantity too, judging by the way we all have so many different views about just how good he is

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

There is no point for this thread. Whilst McLaren's driver line-up is a bit dodgy, their biggest problem is their car, because both Perez and Button could be title contenders, just if they are given the car.

[Knowlesy]

Originally Posted by bella

in a way, button's almost an unknown quantity too, judging by the way we all have so many different views about just how good he is

He is clearly very good in most cars. Give him the perfect car for his needs and he can be untouchable. Give him a very bad car and he, well, gets beaten by Rubens Barrichello (2008).

But to agree with the poster above me, yes, clearly McLaren's main issue is the car itself this year. Hamilton would probably have dragged some amazing results out of it but they'd still be having a dreadful season.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by bella

in a way, button's almost an unknown quantity too, judging by the way we all have so many different views about just how good he is

Button - the fastest man in the world on occasion. On others, one of the slowest drivers in the F1 field. In low grip conditions it seems that maybe Nico Hulkenberg and Lewis Hamilton can catch him, but nobody else. Has a better feel for the car than the rest of the field, hence the "fluke" wins due to epic tyre choices (and his wet weather pace), but this can harm him too, as, if the car is a small bit off of perfect, then he is nowhere. Very clean in wheel-to-wheel racing (perhaps too clean), lacks qually pace, and finds it hard to make a season. But when he does, he destroys most around him.

[ace007]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

There is no point for this thread.

Why would that be? If you read above, you will see that your opinion is not shared by all which confirms the point that this thread is a valid one.

[steve_r]

In answer to the original question. Yes. Button is too good for McLaren.

[BSchneiderFan]

I think we need to wait and see how good next year's car is. Remember, Button is the only driver ever to have beaten Lewis Hamilton over the course of a season in equal machinery. Hopefully, 2014 will show us how much of a dog this year's McLaren is, and Button will be back on form. But I - a Button fan - agree that he can be inconsistent.

[Richard C]

I am a big Button fan (and nominal McLaren fan), but as others have pointed out, he has a narrow operating window. Magic when his car is in that window, but much less so if not. I am not even sure if this years McLaren even "has" an operating window.

To the OPs question. I think any top driver is a waste at McLaren this year. I don't think a different set of drivers are going to light any additional fires of encouragement.

Richard

[spider]

I'm a Button fan, but I think we're all out on just how good he really is. I agree that it was a perfect situation when Lewis was there - someone who is absolutely in the top 3 on raw pace, as it gave McLaren a fair barometer on exactly where the car is.

This season's car clearly isn't great - but at each race I can't help imagining that Lewis may be 10/20 seconds further up the road, in that machine - though obviously there's nothing, but the last few years, and Lewis' ability in a less-than-perfect car to go by.

If I was Jonathan Neale/Martin Whitmarsh - and I had my house on the line, which driver out of Nico Hulkenberg or Jenson would I rely on pushing McLaren up the grid next year? Sadly, as a Jenson fan, I just can't imagine Jenson would be faster...

Also - let's say if Perez left McLaren now, no-one still knows how good he is/isn't. Kobayashi wasn't really a decent yardstick and Sauber were quite vocal that they felt last year's car was better than either driver showed.

When you've got Rosberg/Hamilton in Merc, and Kimi/Alonso at Ferrari - I just don't see Jenson breaking into that top 3, if all car's are of a similar level. But then he surprised us all in 2010-12...

Fact is, it'll be the same line-up in 2014.

[MarkG]

Yes, he is good for McLaren. In fact good for any decent team.

[Marbot]

Good enough for McLaren to sign him up for another season, at least.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/3...ntract-signed/

I feel a merge coming on.

[Spritle]

I feel a "Is Button Good For Button" thread coming on...

[MarkG]

Originally Posted by Spritle

I feel a "Is Button Good For Button" thread coming on...

I feel a "My-Favourite-Driver would thrash all the others in equal cars and is better than all the past greats" thread coming on.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Spritle

I feel a "Is Button Good For Button" thread coming on...

Yeah, there just aren't enough driver threads.

[John Turner]

Certainly not enough to make a jacket with buttonholes!

[chillibowl]

he may not be punching above the car's weight class but 9th on the drivers table in a car thats 5th in the constructors is exactly where we should expect him to be imo. sure there could be a few drivers who could have done better but they unfortunately have contracts with other teams.

also surprised they are waffling on a 2015 contract. it must be about not renewing him at his option wage (14mill from the Forbes list in another thread).

short of nominating a Japanese driver for 2015, from Honda's and a marketing standpoint, JB is probably still the most popular F1 driver in Japan so surely he also has some value there to the team and its sponsors.

changing a long term engine partner, suggestions that they may go for another unproven non race winning driver following a few years of the car under performing...am i being cynical or does this remind anyone of the prelude leading up to the decline of Williams.

[321Go]

Question for the OP, if Button is not good enough for McLaren, who is?
Let me guess, Sam Bird??

[bjohnsonsmith]

I'd rephrase the question, is Whitmarsh good for McLaren?

[ace007]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I'd rephrase the question, is Whitmarsh good for McLaren?

I have to admit that I do miss Ron...