Does Jenson Button over-hype himself?

[garcon]

If we do see Webber and Button in Williams cars next year, it will be a very interesting contest. Wouldn't like to say which driver would come out on top, except that it should be very close and may well be down to luck/reliability.

(It'll be nice to have a little Ashes battle in F1 though, eh? )

[Menelaos]

I agree with garcon. Webber is also a very good driver, and it's going to be very nice if we see anything like that.

[hgmonaro]

Originally Posted by garcon

If we do see Webber and Button in Williams cars next year, it will be a very interesting contest. Wouldn't like to say which driver would come out on top, except that it should be very close and may well be down to luck/reliability.

They'll probably both be fighting to pick up the dregs that the quick cars leave for them... much like this year!

[N I Tram]

If you don't believe that you can be the world champion, you won't get close to it. If your national media don't make its readers bellieve that a British driver can be World Champion, they won't sell as many copies. Combine these 2 facts and there's no issue of arrogance or self-promotion going on here.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by garcon

If we do see Webber and Button in Williams cars next year, it will be a very interesting contest. Wouldn't like to say which driver would come out on top, except that it should be very close and may well be down to luck/reliability.

(It'll be nice to have a little Ashes battle in F1 though, eh? )

Based on their current performances i'd expect it to be much like Ralf and Trulli at Toyota, but i'd expect Webber to be on a different level next year considering the rough trip hes been having this year.

As for Button though, ITV commentators aside i wouldnt say hes THAT overrated, but Mark and James just cant seem to shuttup about him at times

[Born Racer]

As for Button though, ITV commentators aside i wouldnt say hes THAT overrated, but Mark and James just cant seem to shuttup about him at times

True, it appears to me that ITV want to bring F1 to the masses and make it more accesible to the more casual viewers, like in their 'ask the team' slot and James's little re-caps of what's happened in the race so far "if you've just joined us".

I guess plugging a British driver is a part of that, but as for Brits being criticised for supporting him because he's British, I ask what's wrong with a bit of patriotism?

I was always a fan of Damon Hill in F1 for various reasons, in part a small bit because of his sharing my nationality, although I'm not an extremely patriotic person anyway. I like (and dislike) things about lots of the countries I've spent time in.

Button I support..again he's British so there's that bit of patriotic spirit, but also I think he's got the potential so that endears me to him first and foremost. One of my favourite drivers is Colombian and I've never been to his country!

[mstar]

FPV GTHO, you need to watch races on track by a corner. You can see why certain drivers are called "good" i have been to quite a few races over the year (and 2 tests in jerez and barca). and you can see why button is held in high regard. Arm chair bashers should get out and observe for themselves


BTW for shumi bashers watch hinm through the swimming pool complex at monaco next year, UNBELIEVABLE commitment more then any other driver :-)

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by mstar

FPV GTHO, you need to watch races on track by a corner. You can see why certain drivers are called "good" i have been to quite a few races over the year (and 2 tests in jerez and barca). and you can see why button is held in high regard. Arm chair bashers should get out and observe for themselves

Out of everything thats been said, you single out me?

[mstar]

sorry FPV GTHO, everyone who just sit at home and watch races not knowing what driving is all about

[BootsOntheSide]

With every sport there is a hard-core which will be interested in all situations, but to achieve mass popularity more fans are required - and these generally do favour drivers from their own country to keep interest high. Autosport's sales are partially dependent on these people; ITV's viewing figures need them for them to be able to justify the huge outlay on the sport. A bit of championing of the British driver is hardly surprising.

[Glen]

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

…A bit of championing of the British driver is hardly surprising.

And thoroughly deserved in any case - sometimes I wonder if many F1 fans give a moment's thought to exactly how excrutiatingly tough it is to be competitive in modern F1. And that's just to hold down your job and keep out of trouble - to make waves and have several teams interested in you requires stupid levels of natural ability and commitment.

[hando]

Still hasn't won a GP and has been round longer than Webber. Good driver not great!!

[Dani Filth]

how long did it took Hakkinen to win a GP ???

[Glen]

Still hasn't won a GP - and - like Webber, still has not contested a GP in a car capable of winning a GP. And?

[Born Racer]

Still hasn't won a GP - and - like Webber, still has not contested a GP in a car capable of winning a GP

Exactly

[hando]

Best oppurtunity to win a GP will be in the car he is in at the moment. If he doesn't win won this year, its going to be tougher when he moves to Williams next season.

Hey, Webber and Button will be team mates next season. Fantastic!!

[Glen]

Fantastic indeed - personally I rate that driver line-up as one of the very best. Plenty of people will be in a hurry to disagree with me - no change there then.