Even if Vettel was handed the victory here, the whole race would of been tarnished and something special would of been denied.
Cleared of what exactly? I've watched it three times now and I'm not sure what Button had to answer for. I understand the stewards' investigation because there was a collision but I don't know what Button could have been accused of.
I'm not calling him guilty, "cleared" in the sense of...................well he's in the all clear lol.
Okay, and I won't say any more about it after this... but I wonder if this is the chink in Alonso's otherwise impenetrable armour. Why didn't he recognise that the corner was lost when Button was up the inside and ahead of him? Why did he turn in when he knew for a fact that Button was right there? Why did he then go on the defensive claiming it wasn't his fault, rather than accusing Button of bumping him off?
Fantastic drive from Button. (Pausesâ¦) There are many more things I could say about this drive which I am sure I will have opportunity to say over the next couple of weeks. But seriously; that was one of the best performances of any driver in any race for about three decades. There are a few others of course, but that was right up there with the very best of them. Scintillating. A testament to taking the long view and never giving up. And in with all that, his overtaking and outright pace throughout the race was peerless. Absolutely stunning drive and for once I intend to watch it again. I am so pleased for him: A simply magnificent drive; totally out-thinking and out-driving all of his opponents over the whole span of the race. And let's face it; that's what counts in the endâ¦
Well, we all know Alonso never actually respects Jenson compared to Vettel and Lewis. Maybe he thought he could faze him?
I thought it an incredible drive. I like jenson and like to see him do well but his performances are a bit up and down. On several occasions he has shown real grit and racing capability. I have generally felt he sometimes lacks the killer instinct but it was there today. He could be the best if he was always like that, but he is not.
Yo JustJazz. Welcome to t'forum, thanks for posting. I would rather say "he has not been" than "he is not." Someone posted earlier that Button was learning from Hamilton and (given that they're definitely learning from each other) I think that's true. You would have thought that it would be nigh on impossible for Button to adapt his driving style, whatever Hamilton's influence, but it appears he is sucking more out of Hamilton than Hamilton is of him. Hamilton appears to be the one stuck in his familiar rut and making the same mistakes over and over again without learning from them. In the last two races we've seen Button hanging it out and setting the track on fire without ever losing his control - far more exciting and powerful than what Hamilton can muster. Simply brilliant.
Up until this season I would agree with you, but from the first race in Aus he has looked completely different. He's battled hard, taken chances but has been unlucky in strategy calls and SC's, if not for a bit more luck he could be within touching distance of Vettel. If McLaren make that next step, and the FIA do take away RBR obvious blown exhaust advantage (a bit unfairly in my eyes) and we see qualifying done at a more race set-up, I think the WDC will be down to Vettel, Button and Hamilton. Wouldn't it just shut everyone up if JB went on to win it?
I agree, actually in the last two races Button has easily been the fastest/best driver and he is now Vettel's closest rival.
Good post Justjazz. However, I'd like to say something about the killer instinct you mention. I hope I may be forgiven for saying that this is a misconception held by many. Jenson Button is a driver who is always considering a race in the long-term. He looks at it as a picture in the making; unfinished and as yet undefined, but with a sense of knowing how the finished article will look. That is an extraordinary ability. And you know what? - There are no more than a handful of other drivers who I feel have had a similar understanding - whilst a race unfolds; in the history of Grand Prix racing! I will not attempt to list the whole handful but just two: Jim Clark and Alain Prost.
Long-time 606'er, first time not606'er. I'm really glad that others are recognising how well Button drove today. For any stattos out there I would be really interested to find out how many drivers have won a GP after a drive-through penalty. Although, I am pretty sure Jenson is the only one to win after a drive-through, being clobbered by a team-mate and then a rival (Alonso) resulting in a puncture, having two or three more pit stops than everyone else and being plum last with 30 laps to go. Bear with me for a minute... I have supported the England national team all my life. However, in the last few years it is hard to get behind a group of petulant, vain millionaires who seem more concerned with their appearances in various, vapid tabloids and the weekly wage from their clubs. It would be easy to feel the same about F1 drivers. I would love to dismiss Button as some dopey rich-kid, with too much money and not enough sense. No, really, it would be lovely to think that. The trouble is I have watched him from his very first F1 race and he has never been anything but open in interviews, interesting post-race, smooth and aggressive in the right way on the track and one of the very fastest drivers in the world who deserved his world title. Hence... draws breath... I love it when he does well. I'm not a McLaren fanboy or an all out Button fan but I do appreciate talent and sportsmanship. This race showed everyone what racing should be; perseverance in adversity.
Welcome to the Forum Ruining, always good to have another view of all things F1. It wasn't the best weekend for Button (ironically) but he came through it with flying colours, Great stuff!
Just finished watching the entire race again, and I have to say it was tremendously exciting from start up to very end. Just driving a car flat out in those conditions takes real courage, and to see some of the moves that they were making was scintillating. Schumacher, no doubt about it, had a great race, and looked on for a podium, but Button's charge through the field was majestic. I never thought he would get on the podium when he was plum last, let alone overhaul Vettel and force him into a mistake. How much did Vettel get on the damp by? Ten centimetres? It's incredible to think that winning and losing can be decided by such a small amount. Heidfeld's crash was a bit scary, but not quite as scary as the panicking, banana-heeled marshall falling over in the middle of the track with cars locking up to avoid him. I think Lewis should take a long hard look at his decision making after his latest blunders. Yes he got a run at Button, but considering the line that everyone was taking along the pit straight contact was very likely. Seeing as Lewis's front hit Button's rear tyre I think we can safely assume that Hamilton was, again, nowhere near making the pass. Massa's spin, Di Resta's penalty, Webber and Schuey dicing, Kobayashi briefly in 2nd, Massa overtaking Kobayashi on the finish line. There's almost too much to mention. What a fabulous race!
As others will know, I am no fan of any particular driver. However, I completely agree with your words. Button's drive today was up there with the very best of all time…
