Jenson Button has made it a habit of never being at the right place at the right time. His move from Brawn, where he was World Champion, to the McLaren Mercedes team doesn't seem to be working for him - as of yet. Which makes his title defense that more of a challenge.
Unfortunately for Button, credit for his wins has, more often than not, gone to the car he drives rather than his set of driving skills. On the other side of the same coin though, Button has progressed up the ranks of motor-racing winning the one odd race, in highly underpowered or aerodynamically inefficient cars. In his first nine years of Formula One, he had only 15 podium finishes. He had to wait for six years to record his first win. It is not that he lacks the skills or is slower than his rivals. On his day he can outrun any of the other drivers, provided he gets a perfect car. Without a perfect car, Button struggles. THAT has been made pretty obvious throughout his career. And this very fact is what makes the 2010 Formula One season a huge challenge for McLaren and its all-English line-up. Because his team mate, Lewis Hamilton, has been backed by McLaren ever since his teenage years as their protege. And both have very very different driving styles. Hamilton likes a twitchy car with a loose end, Button likes a more composed car. Can a team come up with two cars to suit two opposite driving styles of their drivers? Or are they going to prefer one over the other? And it is fairly obvious who will be the 'special one'. McLaren insist they treat both drivers the same. But McLaren's past with Alonso, Alain Prost and David Coulthard begs to differ.
So what made Button leave Brawn? Two factors actually. His desire for a pay rise and Mercedes desire to field an all German team to win this years F1. After the 2009 season ended, Mercedes purchased Brawn GP, a move which made no real sense. While Honda, Toyota and BMW have left F1 citing the recession and high costs of racing, Mercedes went ahead to run not one but two teams - Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and Mercedes GP Petronas. Issue is, Merc can't weasel their way out of the McLaren deal until 2015 so they are stuck with them, and according to the Germans its cheaper to race now than it was in 2008. Their choice of drivers too made no sense either - except the fact that both are German. They brought Schumi out of retirement and chose Nico Rosberg, who in his four years has done nothing to prove he is part of the elite clan.
In the meantime Button, after winning the 2009 championship, was looking for a pay rise. Back in 2008, Honda pulled out from Formula One. Button was left with no car. The samurai had no master. In came Ross Brawn with a management buy-out of Honda, created Brawn GP and offered Button the job as lead driver in a highly competitive Merc powered car. The catch - Button was to take a pay cut. With no choice, Button took the deal. But after winning in 2009, his market value increased. And so did his desire to get a raise. And that didn't fly well with ze Germans. Eventually, they let him go.
So how will this season turn out? Exciting I pray. F1 2010 has new rules. New rules mean new tactics. I'm looking forward for more over-takings and down to the wire finishes. That's how F1 should be. In those terms the Bahrain GP did disappoint. I don't really care much for Schumi's return. To me no German can match a Scandinavian's skill, (have you ever heard of a Deutsche Flick? NO!! Coz there is no such thing. There is however something called the Scandinavian Flick) a South American's daredevilry or a Brit's passion for the sport. And since my favorite Kimi 'Iceman' Raikkonen has left F1 for WRC, I wish Button does good. And I really really hope McLaren finish this season with a 1-2 win.
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