2010 F1 Driver Lineup Thread, formerly, "Barichello goes to Williams" Options

[Dr. Strangelove]

Wouldn't happen. He said he won't drive for anyone but Ferrari.

[skr]

How many times in the past has a driver won the championship and then split.?

Does Alonso winning in 2006 then leaving for McLaren for 2007 count?

[duality]

Does Alonso winning in 2006 then leaving for McLaren for 2007 count?

o epic forget fail for me.

[moe]

Apparently Button was offered more to stay at Brawn, than he is going to make at McLaren. Story's at F1 Live.

[duality]

I don't think that it was a financial issue," Fry told AUTOSPORT. "We understand that our offer to Jenson may well have been in excess of what he might be getting with McLaren.

..."Clearly, loyalty would be nice but in this day and age you don't expect too much of that. I'm always happy when any employee leaves our company if I think that they've made the right decision and they are going to a better job and they always go with our blessing if that is the situation.

"In this situation, we don't understand the logic of the decision and I think Jenson is going to have to up his game if he's going to beat Lewis on home territory."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80207

[Dr. Strangelove]

Oh snap! I didn't see that coming.

[skr]

"It was 100 per cent my choice. For me, the move is because it's going to be a huge challenge to go up against Lewis in his environment. My goal since I was eight years old has been to win the world title, and I've done that now. Now I feel I need a new challenge."

The Briton denied the decision had been motivated by financial issues.

"No. I'm earning less than I would have at Brawn. I didn't move for money and everyone knows it. It's something new for me. I'll have to work very hard in the new situation I've put myself in, and I intend to do it.

"Of course it's not going to be easy, but I'm very excited about the challenge. I've got to work very hard to achieve what I want to achieve."

So the truth comes out. Button was being selfish for the RIGHT reasons, and for less money.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80230

[moe]

Emerson Fittipaldi, James Hunt, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton.

Just remember those names, particularly when somebody mentions that Jenson Button has made the wrong decision in signing to drive for McLaren.

All these motor racing legends won world championship crowns at the wheel of a succession of highly competitive McLaren creations over the past three decades.

And yet, this will be no magic carpet ride for the 2009 world champion. Jackie Stewart is right when he says that he’ll have a hard time getting his feet under the table in a team which Hamilton has very much made his own.

Hell, Lewis even managed to send twice world champ Fernando Alonso packing at the end of a 2007 season brimful of personal enmity. And this, don’t forget, was in Lewis's very first F1 campaign.

It will be different for Button. A decade of largely fruitless F1 endeavour has left him more battle hardened that almost any of his contemporaries. He also has the ideal demeanour – calm, controlled and measured – to handle Hamilton out on the circuit.

This will be a closely-matched contest which raises memories of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna in 1988 and 89. But without the relentlessly tense and unpleasant edge.

Source: Alan Henry, at Autocar.

I think that's an interesting viewpoint. Everyone else seems to be saying, "Button you stupid n00b, Hamilton is going to annihilate you."

[tune]

I think Hamilton on his day would be better than Button, but then I suppose if Hamilton is under pressure, Button is much better at keeping his head on the race track.

[moe]

I think Hamilton on his day would be better than Button, but then I suppose if Hamilton is under pressure, Button is much better at keeping his head on the race track.

I'll agree with that. On a good day, Hamilton is definitely faster but Button is better at staying composed under fire, and is probably more consistent to boot.

[duality]

I love how Lewis looks pissed/angry/i don't want to be here fuck off, even when he's 3rd. It's all or nothing for him lol.

[skr]

I remember an episode of Top Gear where Jenson genuinely said he'd trade all of his fortunes for his first win. It would make sense for him to want to go for a much tougher challenge if he was genuinely there to win, and not so much for the money.

I think my money will be on Alonso or Vettel to win this season anyway.

[Dr. Strangelove]

If Ferrari has the car, which I am sure they will, I think Alonso will run away with the championship. We won't really find out until the first race though.

[duality]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport...one/8368107.stm

Watch.

Mercedes want Michael Schumacher to drive in F1 team