McLaren are purported to be prepared to increase Button's salary to get him to stay beyond the end of 2012. Nice to be loved, eh?
I think Button will stay at Mclaren unless just say he beats Hamilton this year then perhaps he will move to Ferrari for another challenge.
Is Button really that good of a commodity, why isnt there more interest in other up and coming talents.
Isn't this just pie in the sky? Considering that Button has said he would like to end his career at McLaren and that he would never want to drive for a team that uses team orders, wouldn't it be rather hypocritical, not to mention extremely unlikely, to move to Ferrari?
Button's as good as any driver on the grid on his day but, apart from having the knowledge, experience and well-developed skills that up-and-coming drivers don't have, he's about the best driver in F1 at being able to work harmoniously within a team and alongside anyone. I'm 100% certain he wouldn't go to Ferrari as a number two (and I don't think Alonso operates in a way that would demand that, either) but, if Alonso did hammer him, I'm sure it wouldn't cause disruption within the team. Clearly, in considering the best team mate for Alonso, Ferrari have come to the same conclusion McLaren did when considering the best team mate for Hamilton.
Why would Ferrari want Button? I think we all know Button is on the road out of F1 and is getting the best out of his carear at McLaren. Surely there is better young talent Ferrari will be looking at such as: Kobayashi Di Resta Kubica Perez Bianchi
Ferrari do not hire drivers who are only one, two or even three seasons old, and will Kubica a) come back, and b) come back to the same level he was at.
I agree with the general thrust of your argument Mifune but I believe both Irvine and Massa were hired by Ferrari after 3 seasons in the sport (although I may be mistaken). Your point about Kubica is also a good one, in fact, the majority of the driver market for 2012 is probably based on what Kubica will be doing next year.
I don't want to pick on you, El Bando, because that's against the rules, but saying things like we all think that Button is getting the best of his career at McLaren, is very insulting to people who happen not to think that way. Can you imagine that some people might think that the best of Button's career, so far, is winning a World Title with Brawn? Why do you insist on making ridiculous statements like the BBC don't give a damn about F1, or pretending that everyone thinks like you do just to try to give your opinions legitimacy?
Another article on the subject. Apparently "exploratory talks" have been held, although I would imagine that could mean several different things. Also, Nico Rosberg is apparently letting it be known that he might be available.
I imagine that's purely because the 3rd year of his contract, 2012, is an option on McLaren's side. So technically, they could drop him, although that's hardly likely to happen!
Right, so Benson's just missing the point then and reporting on the likelihood of McLaren exercising their option on Button, not on the apparent opportunity to drive for Ferrari when his McLaren contract's finished, which is what all the hullabaloo is about?
Ferrari will have no problems getting a replacement for Massa for 2012 - they won't be too bothered about paying him off, as long as Massa's replacement is much better. A No.2 driver is not needed - instead they need someone to push Alonso harder than Massa is now. Both drivers will be given an equal chance at Ferrari, you only have to look at races like Malaysia and China to see that Massa will not let his teammate past. Behind the scenes, Massa also has equal input according to Marc Gene. (but ignore the title of that link - a poor Spanish-English translation by PF1) I suspect the next few races for Massa will play an important role in whether he drives a Ferrari next year. Ferrari are just considering their options at the moment. That explains why Ferrari have (allegedly) contacted Button and Rosberg.
I'm not quite sure I've understood you there Genji, so you may have to clarify for me. Are you saying the article isn't worth mentioning on this thread? The article reports that McLaren are likely to not only take up their option on Button for 2012, but also to reinforce their intentions by augmenting it with a new deal to keep him there for longer. Obviously, this would pretty much end any approach by Ferrari. Seeings as the article's subject is Button, as is the topic of this thread, I thought it worth bringing up. Apologies if you thought it belongs in a separate thread.
Well this is the 11th season for Jenson Button and ussually that marks the downward curve of an F1 driver. Would Ferrari want to look for an old hand or a fresh new tallent like they did with Massa? I didnt mean to offend anyone as Im not pointing out Button is not good enough. I think Button is actually at the top of his game at the moment. But would he be able to follow this on and be a WDC contender at Ferrari on a long term team rebuilding basis? Would Button be able to perform better than Massa? Would he be able to beat Alonso? Basically I cant see this happen even though I personnally wouldnt mind seeing a brit in the Ferrari as they do get a bit of bashing from the McLaren bias press. Also Im happy you want to debate F1 with me. I dont feel you are picking on me
