And quite rightly too. Kovy never did anything to be considered number 1.

Put yourself in a team managers shoes for a second; what would you prefer, wins, or both drivers trailing around in 9th and 10th?

Of course the answer is obvious. Although McLaren would deny there ever being any favouritism. I've long been of the opinion that it's difficult to win a world championship unless you put all your efforts into one driver. Aside from occasions where your car is dominant.

It is not relevant what anyone thinks of Button - he got the job done better than any other driver in recent years.

The record book will show he won THREE more grands prix than any other driver in 2009.

He won the world championship with a greater points difference.
He wrapped it up with ONE grand prix to go.
He made LESS errors than any other top driver.

But most of all he WON the world championship.

There have been many drivers, supposedly great talents, that NEVER got the job done.

So, if you try and undermine Jenson's win - its not going work and is because you just don't like Jenson. Well.... Sucks to be YOU!!!!

The Jenson supporters like myself are just as happy as can be. And whether Jenson wons another title or not is not important. He will always be Jenson, 2009 world champion.

As for him signing for Mclaren - the Guardian is not exactly the most reliable newspaper.

They'll look very silly if it isn't true though. But if he joins McLaren, regardless of whether people think Jenson is a 'good' champion, it will be a strong driver pairing.

Still think Heidfeld would be a better option...maybe he'll go to Manor with Glock and Saube have been very quiet.

I hope it is true that Jenson will be joining the greatest Constructor in racing. I think I can speak for many from Jenson's Barmy Army - long term supporters that through so many career frustrations recognized just how worthy he would be of good cars.

12 months previously we thought that it could be ending, instead 12 months later we are supporters of the sport's brand new world champion driver.

The first half of the championship was like a dream. And now, maybe Jenson is to sign for Mclaren for THREE years!!!

He is worthy of becoming a Mclaren driver and what a prospect, the challenge of being teammate to Lewis Hamilton as well. He will relish that!

And finally - I will get to support a driver in a Mclaren!!!!

Absolutely - I hope it is true.

At first I was dubious about him being Lewis' teammate, but on reflection it would be the ultimate top seat for Jenson. He will have earned it.

I am excited about Manor because their concept is different to everyone else. Good for Glock - far better than being number 2 at Renault. Heidfeld, if he does not go to Mercedes GP, is a good selection too.

Manor is my favorite new team because of its connection to John Booth run teams. He runs an excellent show. I'd rate him as the next Dave Richards.

Speaking of whom - he is another manager that ought to be in f1 again.

Do you get paid by the word or something? http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...es/biggrin.gif

The quintessential wet dream of us, the burney gumble army fans, came to life. The metaphysical aspiration of hardcore super motor racing fan was fulfilled. The prophecy that McLaren will suck in a world champion and spit out a loser is closer and closer... or wait... it's not a prophecy... it actually happened before... nevertheless.. I'm exhaustet. It actually sucks to be YOU. you know who

Drastic depends on his ego and reputation. When he goes to McLaren and Hamilton beats him in 2010, Button will begin to suffer the stigma of being a "lucky champion". Just another one time champ that backed into it by virtue of luck and coincidence.

He might be better off leaving on top of the game and the rest of us guessing.

personally i cant see why Jenson would want to be at Mclaren with Hammy there nice and comfortable with the team loving him and then here comes the new guy. But, if you are world champion and as a prize you get a drive at Mclaren then things aren't too bad. I just hope Mercedes Grand Prix and Kimi can get a deal together if the button-2-macca move happens, because Kimi is a great driver and without him it would be a great shame. even though he lacks personality, he still is fantastic in a car. who knows, amybe he will take a sabbatical, a year off to go and as he would 'av a s***'

IMO Kimi has a very cool personality, Dan... His "don't care" attitude is cool. About Jenson, in my opinion he is rightly feeling embarassed by Mercedes'unwillingness to pay him the salary he deserves as a WDC.

But then you have the situation with drivers like Rosberg, Glock, and Kubica who like Button have shown promise, but haven't exactly lit the track on fire with their presence. JB is more deserving of a place on the grid than some drivers, so calling for him to retire at 29 is drastic. His ego is no more a problem than people not being able to accept that he achieved the status of WDC. I for one doubted he would get there but theres a point when we have to let it go, and discuss his options sensibly. http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...lies/smile.gif

It sounds like you are describing Raikkonen. Personally I don't believe in the idea of a 'lucky champion'. Button is not my favorite driver but I refuse to denigrate what he has accomplished. If he signs for McLaren I'll wish him good luck and good riddance.

I like Kimi and don't consider him a lucky champion. Good car or bad, Kimi pushed hard to keep himself in the championship he won. I don't see that same effort always being applied by others. I think Kimi has a "reverse Williams" attitude. With Williams the car was the star and it didn't make much difference to them who was sitting in it. My impression of Kimi is that "I'm here to race to the fullest of my abilities whatever you present to me to race." "Painting it, engineering it, developing it, and making it competative and reliable is your job." And I can appreciate that.

Personally, I think Kimi is worth more money than Button.

If the numbers are correct, then quite interesting conclusions can be made. Numbers? I mean 6M per year deal for Button. Also if the information presented by James Allen blog is anything to go by, Kimi was offered exactly the same amount of money by McLaren - 6M.

This may show that Kimi's market value has fallen especially after his slightly disappointing Ferrari years, so that (even) Button is now regarded as an equivalent to him in the driver market. He isn't regarded as a "special" driver, who a top team is willing to get literally at any cost (Hamilton/Alonso), but as a "good" driver with an attitude of "if he doesn't accept our offer, no problem, we'll get another good driver".

Jenson Button assured of equality with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mot...t-McLaren.html
Jenson Button has been assured he will have complete equality of equipment with Lewis Hamilton if and when he completes his widely-anticipated move to McLaren.

Well, I have to agree that I had doubted that Bunsen would ever win a second GP and here he is as WDC. I too don't believe there is ever such a thing as a lucky champion, and Bunsen deserves what he has achieved. I too wish him luck at McLaren, and I will be cheering for him to beat Hamilton.

I'm just sorry that nothing has been finalised for Kimi yet; he is simply too good a driver/racer to miss out on a good drive this year.

Embarassment about being world champion and not receiving his demand? I doubt that. Look back at all the champions in recent years that have left teams after winning for similar reasons.

And supposedly moving to Mclaren for the money he wants - thats a move UPWARDS for the new world champion!

Far from embarassment Jenson is probably enjoying the sun somewhere feeling as good as he ever can.

Raikkonen won his championship because Mclaren messed up - lets not be coy about it. Nobody expected Hamilton to kick Alonso's arse and Ron Dennis did nothing to control a situation that given Alonso's petulant nature got totally out of control.

And when Raikkonen did win the championship he did so at the last race by one point.

Button won by winning twice more races than any otehr driver and with a good points margin.

And "even Button" is considerd etc? What is so special about Raikkonen? That he acts like f1 owes him? May I remind you that dear Kimi's attitude has landed him without a drive for 2010 - and he has himself to blame. No driver is bigger than f1.

Furthermore, Mr. Special was unequivocally being beaten by a driver that was supposedly the team's SECOND driver, Massa. And it is Massa that Ferrari have preferred not Raikonnen.

In my view, Raikkonen needs to take a long look and decide if he really wants to be in f1. As an outside observer I'd say he does not and there are too many good drivers out there to waste time on him.

Red Bull Racing or any other team should not waste their time.

Bye Kimi. It was good while it lasted!

Yeah that would be the smart thing to do http://www.motorsportforums.com/imag...s/rolleyes.gif

My view would be that Jenson wanted to stay at Brawn/Mercedes, but they wanted someone else in the car, so they lowballed Jenson on the contract offer, almost just to be polite, knowing he wouldn't accept.

Like I said before, I doubt Jenson would sign for McLaren unless he will get equal treatment. And I believe he can beat Hamilton over a season. Jenson had a half-developed car for half a season and still won the title. I'm convinced if it was a normal season of development that Jenson would have won more races.

Lewis will likely have a small pace advantage, but Jenson will be more consistent over a race distance, make less mistakes, and will possibly end up beating Hamilton in the races. I'm guessing it will be like Heidfeld and Kubica in 2008 - better quali from Robert, with Nick catching up and sometimes beating him in the races.

Button's got talent, and like Saint Devote said, he won three more GPs than ANYONE last year. Vettel, Barrichello and Webber had their chances, and failed in the end.