Button- Possible '09 F1 Champion without a drive

[jddh1]

If Ross is blown away by Jenson's driving and near perfect looking telemetry, why would you say he's mediocre?

Because I don't rate Rubens as a world class driver, nice guy yes, but in the same league as recent WDC, NO. Button should be dominating Rubens this year and he isn't.

I think all drivers that make it into F1 are world class drivers. That includes Luca Badoer. Yes, I said it.

Look, there are over 6 billion people in the world going on 7. Let's say that around 2-3 billion drive. In F1 there are only 20, soon to be 26 or 28 spots available for drivers. Let's go for 28 spots over 2 billion drivers. That is 0.000000014%. These guys are in fact world class.

[Giblet]

I wonder if it would make more sense to compare how many kids were put in karts when they were young for sport as opposed to drivers who commute in their Hyundais.

We all breathe every day and only a small handful of us compete in static apnea. Myself I had skates strapped on to me at a young age, and played hockey until I got bored. If I was put in a kart I am sure I would have been a better driver than hockey player, and if I never made it big, I'd likely still race in some weekend series of some kind. I don't play hockey anymore unless I manage to come across a pickup game of roller hockey at the beach.

It would be interesting to know what percentage of drivers that raced in karts and other junior series become drivers.

It's like a life long round robin tournament.

Pretty sure that Button could be driving again for Brawn, he did a 'solid' to Brhrawnda, and just wants it returned. But just because you offer a solid, doesn't meant it has to be paid back. Jenson might only be worth his reduced price to Ross.

[n smikle]

I agree, it should be taken is as a percentage of those that did Karting. Driving a race car is not a natural activity. I bet Schumacher can't drive half as good a regular downtown taxi driver in that respective context.

[theoracle]

I agree, it should be taken is as a percentage of those that did Karting. Driving a race car is not a natural activity. I bet Schumacher can't drive half as good a regular downtown taxi driver in that respective context.

Apparently, he can

Michael Schumacher drives taxi in airport dash
The seven-time Formula One world champion took over from his taxi driver in order to make it to the airport in time for a flight, it has emerged.
Cabbie Tuncer Yilmaz watched in awe as the racing legend, 38, showed him how his job ought to be done.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldne ... -dash.html

[megz]

I agree, it should be taken is as a percentage of those that did Karting. Driving a race car is not a natural activity. I bet Schumacher can't drive half as good a regular downtown taxi driver in that respective context.

Question: How often is he at the sharp end of the grid at karting events that he participates in?

Answer: Alot.

This is equal machinery, and Schumi isn't all that small. Especially when compared with Massa or the other smaller drivers.

[Giblet]

I agree, it should be taken is as a percentage of those that did Karting. Driving a race car is not a natural activity. I bet Schumacher can't drive half as good a regular downtown taxi driver in that respective context.

Question: How often is he at the sharp end of the grid at karting events that he participates in?

Answer: Alot.

This is equal machinery, and Schumi isn't all that small. Especially when compared with Massa or the other smaller drivers.

Thanks for the random Schumi fandom, biut it has nothing to do when talking about the pool of talent F1 drivers come from. The guy racing you for position in his Chevy Lumina on the highway doens't count.

Still, his point is valid, that using the pool of people in professional racing is the only option for F1 teams. Nothing to do with equal machinery on the track.

By the way, a heavier kart driver can use his body weight to greater effect to chuck the kart around, while the smaller drivers can use more finesse because of the lesser weight. Being slightly taller or heavier in karting can be used as an advantage.

This doesn't apply to F1 cars obviously.

[tarzoon]

If Ross is blown away by Jenson's driving and near perfect looking telemetry, why would you say he's mediocre?

Because I don't rate Rubens as a world class driver, nice guy yes, but in the same league as recent WDC, NO. Button should be dominating Rubens this year and he isn't.

He is though...

So you're saying that Ross Brawn is wrong and that Button is being over-praised!

Silly me, thinking Brawn was a competent, wise guy.

[freedom_honda]

Ross Brawn has worked with the greatest drivers over the years. I think he knows what he was talking about when he admitted it was a mistake not considering Button when he was in charge in Ferrari.

[Shaddock]

Ross Brawn has worked with the greatest drivers over the years. I think he knows what he was talking about when he admitted it was a mistake not considering Button when he was in charge in Ferrari.

I do remember Ferrari getting their wrists slapped after Indianapolis, I suppose if Button had been driving this situation would not have arisen

Is anyone going to rise to the bait

[jshaw]

Yeah, Button would have already finished by the time Michael got to the line.

[Shaddock]

Yeah, Button would have already finished by the time Michael got to the line.

[richard_leeds]

Yeah, Button would have already finished by the time Michael got to the line.

Of course Jensen would have parked up 1m short of the line to wait for Michael to cross first!

[RacingManiac]

personally what struck me the most so far points wise is the points total for Button thus far...he got 66 points in the first 7 races, he got a total of 18 points in the next 7....RB is out scoring him almost 1.8:1 in the last 7 races. But he was being outscore almost 1.9:1 in the first 7 races. The problem for Rubens, is that when Button was outscoring him, their cars were fighting for the wins, now they are looking for scraps and the point spread is much less at the lower scoring end....

The problem for me is that when Brawn fell away, Button did so too, while Rubens seems to be coping much better. But Rubens always has the worst luck...When he is in trouble Button does well, but when Button in trouble somehow he gets away with it....

[axle]

When he is in trouble Button does well, but when Button in trouble somehow he gets away with it....

Which is *usually* a sign of a greatness. Button's able to maximise his oppertunities in races far better than a lot of others. He gets the job done, without fuss.

His only real downfall is his Qualifying, and that's down to the car not giving him the confidence he needs on a one lap which is probably down to the way he brakes, he and his engineers need to fix that.

[richard_leeds]

The idea is that the best driver is the one who scores the most points. So far that is Button. He's also consistently finishing in the points in most races. He's also won the most races.

Seems to be the most appropriate champion for this season.

Jensen has won 6 races, in the previous 4 years, the champion has won 5, 6, 7, & 7 races. So he's bang on average for the championship.

In the previous four seasons, the chap who came second won 6,4,7,& 7 races. This year looks like second will go to a 2 or 3 race winner. On that basis, Jensen has a win advantage over his nearest rival that we've not seen since 2004 with Schumacher.

Admittedly his 8 podiums looks weaker compared to 10, 12, 14, 15 in previous years.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Fo ... _Champions

With the facts out the way, I'll offer some conjecture. I like this season because it has been an ensemble effort, there hasn't been one dominant personality overshadowing the rest of the grid. I can't recall when we last saw so many drivers having a part to play at various points. For me, that makes it a great season because it is primarily an endurance team sport, not a sprint. Alas, for fans seeking glory it might seem a bit dull?