Fifth time this season those three have closed out the podium, it's becoming a familiar sight seeing the three of them chatting before going out to collect their trophies. The three of them are absolutely at the top of their game despite being in different teams, hopefully the battles between them will hold a bit more significance next season and McLaren and Ferrari produce better cars. A lot of people were dismissive of Button's talent when he joined McLaren, but he's matured into a world class driver. This is a very strong era in F1 history with these three performing to such a high level. And to think we could have Kubica and Raikkonen back next year and an on form Hamilton, I think this is a really exciting period despite Vettel's current dominance.
Alonso Vettel Button Hamilton Kubica Raikkonen Schumacher 7 people there who are WDC's or very likely to win one, pretty much all in different teams, it could well be the most competitive season ever, in terms of driver skill. Add to the mix, Rosberg, both FI drivers whoever they may be, and both Sauber drivers.
I was thinking about this today when wondering who my driver of the day was and I think it also translates to drivers of the season; Vettel, Button and Alonso have been the class of the field and have each performed pretty much to the maximum that their given cars and teams have allowed. I know Red Bull and Vettel have dominated this season but I do think in 2012 Ferrari and Mclaren will be much closer to them which would be very exciting, and with drivers like Raikkonen (hopefully), Kubica, Rosberg in the midfield along with up-and-comers like Perez, Hulkenberg and di Resta, the competition and quality throughout the field could be amazing.
Your not wrong mate. Buttons excelled this year. Steady but sure and looking as though 2nd place in the Championship is his. Not too sure about Kubica returning but id love to see it. Raikkonen- i hope so, i really do. As for Lewis, what a year its been for him bud, and for all the wrong reasons. And not all his doing. They've knocked the stuffing out of him this year (stewards) with thier bl##dy decisions as far as i'm concerned, others with thier "jumping on the bandwagon" just to stick thier tuppence in. Compound that with whats being going on in his private life ( Nicole, his dad no longer his manager etc) and you have to feel for the guy. Watching him breakdown in the garage and his dad there to reassure him got to me a few races back i got to admit. So yes mate, im looking for a re-energised Lewis for next year and back to his best alongside 5 other World Champions on thier game, its a nice prospect for 2012. On RK, fingers crossed.
Button still needs to improve his qualifying, but in the race hes flawless. How Alonso keeps getting the car on the podium is beyond me. Vettel in a different planet. Top 3 of the season has to be: Vettel, Alonso, Button. But that all gets reset after Brazil and lets hope all the teams are closer in 2012 so we can have a classic season.
How many tenths did Jenson loose on Q3 with the Massa crash? 2-3? 1... Never mind really since Jenson would probably been a tenth short off Fernando and Webber. Though he could of taken the lead off Seb if he was 2nd at the start, who knows eh?
Alonso .... chatting? - he avoids eye-contact, barely congratulates Vettel, and virtually cuts Buttton dead. spoilt brat with no manners - epitome of a bad loser - but then look who employs him.
Agree with most comments here (apart from Bergkamp v Alonso!). This is probably the most exciting race for 2nd in the driver's championship ever but, if there's any justice, it's got to be one of those on the podium today.
I agree with the substance of thread. Then again, perhaps it's a rather obvious statement? After all, who could possibly argue that Vettel, Button and Alonso have not been the top three? For what it's worth, I think Button; currently driving as well as he ever has and very consistent in a car that is no match for Red Bull over a season; has been better than Alonso - also in a car which cannot match Red Bull. All three of the top teams have had lacklustre performances, over the course of the season, from their other drivers: Webber, Hamilton and Massa.
Alonso doesn't say too much even when he wins, it's just the way he is. And I think even he would be pleased about his performance this season considering the sh1te car he's had, so being a bad loser just doesn't come into it; everyone including him recognised early on that the Red Bull has been untouchable this year.
It's great to see Jenson getting a bit of recognition, but short of a Vettel like (11+ win) season in an average car (i.e. the impossible) his detractors will always dismiss him, sadly. Especially after seeing what he has done to one of many people's favourites, and how many people Jenson has left with egg on their faces proving their predictions to not only be wrong by not being "destroyed" by Lewis, but seemingly having turned the tables completely, in "Lewis' own team", as we watch Lewis continue to crumble before our eyes. All the slurs thrown at Jenson have been batted away, the last being dispatched with his win in the dry without any retirements in front of his or botched Red Bull strategies handing it to him, beating Lewis on "raw pace" in quite a few races too. The only thing that many have left to cling on to is his qualifying, which he has improved. Still slightly behind Lewis when Lewis is on form, but it's no longer a given that Lewis will out qualify him, and even when Lewis does, Jenson isn't starting in 11th or 12th any more, and he's been able to make up plenty of places to make up for it anyway. Why aren't overtaking stats being quoted quite so much this season as they were last? Alonso's been relentless too, and had a pretty good season, but he needs a stronger challenger within his own team to push him IMHO. Still, he can only do the best with what he's given and against whomever he is put up against, and that's what he's done. Finally, Vettel has shown his quality this season. Winning the title in style and grace, as well as a cheeky smile and endearing post race interviews too. He's done pretty well to not come over as being arrogant, and has done pretty much everything right on and off track too.
