And at the moment he is VERY far ahead of Hamilton. Hamilton has the raw speed and, if Mclaren become the leading team, will obviously beat Jenson, but as Underdogs this season Mclaren have had to rely on mistakes by Red Bull (very rare) and pure skill to beat them. And this is where Button comes in. His win at Canada was one of the best I have ever season. No-one could stop him that day. This season he has hardly put a foot wrong, and I suppose you could say the same about Vettel, but Button has done it in a far worse car, and for me, he's the driver of the season.
Second to Seb and a lot of polls agree with that. Spain,Monaco,Belgium,Italy and Valencia stand out for him as great drives, nobody could touch him. Still dont get it why people underrate that McLaren so much, far closer than last year.
Seb has to be the driver of the season in my mind, faultless drives all season, it doesn't matter what car your in, you just have to get the best out of it, Seb has done this. Button is very much improved from last year and (in my eyes) has gone beyond Hamilton and Alonso this season. Hopefully if Mclaren can find a few tenths next season we can have a Brit Vs Brit race for the Championship (sorry Silver )
Really? Also at Spa if Mclaren had not mucked up Button's quali then he would of fought Vettel for the win.
I would say, even as a Button fanboy, that Vettel is undeniable man of the year, but Jenson has never driven so well. Watching his driving since Hungary has been an absolute delight. Now if only he and Macca could start the year with form like this we might get a title fight next year.
I disagree, i think that Seb has been better than Button, not by much to be fair to Jenson but the RBR hasnt been massively better than the McLaren - look at Webber's performances! In my mind so far it has been: 1. Vettel 2. Button 3. Alonso 4. Hamilton/Massa
As much as I like Button the best driver this year is Vettel (without a doubt) second Alonso (just look at his points tally with that car) then Button (who has been so consistent). The other guys in the same teams has been off form, Massa since 2008.
The macca may have caught up to the redbull but it still isn't as quick, and at the beginning of the season I would put the macca 4th fastest at best, so for that reason Button eclipses Vettel. Some of Buttons drives have been stunning yet I can't truly remember a stunning drive from Vettel. apart from his qualifying, meaning most of his drives have been an easy jog from the front just pacing himself home.
Vettel's ruthless efficiency in the best car will put this season down in history. This discussion is like suggesting that Michael Schumacher might not have been driver of the season in 2004. He's won nine out of fifteen races, and of the six "defeats" only Canada (cracked under pressure from Button), Germany (not as good as Webber all weekend and a couple of spins) and Japan (too concerned about the WDC) can be laid even partly at his door. I'm not putting Jenson down by any means though. He has been the most watchable front-runner this season. While I've always rated him, I never expected to pay him that specific complement instead of Hamilton, Alonso or even Webber. Canada will go down as one of the greatest wet races of all time, and frankly Button is the only driver to have made Vettel look mortal on anything vaguely resembling a regular basis.
I agree, Vettel has had a supreme cutting edge this year. His desire to win has been fantastic- look no further than his anger when the Virgin got in his way at Japan. However, whilst I don't think Button has been driver of the season, most improved driver might be more appropriate. His second half of the season has been superb.
Hi Samurai ! I agree with your overall comment but have picked out the above interesting statement, because I think it is far from being clear-cut. Based on what has transpired this year; it could easily be argued that had McLaren been the leading team, Button would have been the most likely 2011 World Champion, and I see no "obvious" reason why this should not happen in the future if McLaren become the leading (or equal top) team.
I don't think Button has been the best driver this season. He's had a strong second half of the season but overall I think Vettel and Alonso have been better.
If Red Bull didn't mess up Sebs pit stop at Monaco Jenson would have never been close, same can be said for the pitstop at Silverstone giving Alonso the win.
Seb was given the prime instead of the option and was delayed by about 3-4 seconds, Webbers was worse though! The team radio was breaking up or something...
How can anyone other than Vettel be driver of the season!? No one has been as consistently fast as him all year. He has trounced his rivals, blown his team-mate away more than any other driver, made less mistakes and has walked to the WDC. Madness.
