Your view: Would Button switch be most shocking ever?
November 16, 2009 by SJ Skid
Filed under People & Events
Perhaps nothing will match Nigel Mansell’s leaving Williams to join Newman/Haas in the U.S. CART series. Damon Hill’s being forced from Williams to Arrows in 1997 is a contender. But surely Jenson Button’s apparent switch to McLaren has to be one of the most dramatic driver moves in F1 history.
What gives Button’s change the extra “wow” factor is the whole Brawn story, how it rose from the ashes of Honda a year ago and how Button agreed to a dramatic salary cut to stay with the team — while expecting to be rewarded for his loyalty.
Now, just weeks after the storybook ending to the Brawn and Button pairing, it appears to be over.
Would this be the most shocking driver change in F1?
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I can’t really say this is surprising. Truth be told, Button seems like a natural selection for the #2 slot at McLaren. All this talk about Kimi to McLaren seemed like so much rubbish, but then its easy for me to make such statements with the advantage of hindsight, isn’t it. ;) Seriously, though, the Button to McLaren move doesn’t surprise me at all.
So I’ll put you down as a “Yes.” :)
I know what you’re saying, Xo — but think about all the pieces to this story. Team that barely survives its manufacturer departure, then the team wins both WDC and WCC and said WDC doesn’t get hired back?!
Do you think you’d think differently if you rated Jenson higher? If there was no “double diffuser” to consider?
Most shocking? Not really, nothing suprises me anymore in F1. Damon’s move to Arrows far surpasses this one.
If after the first seven races this was announced it would definately be the most shocking driver change, but after the last month of battle between Brawn and Button, as well as the very slow driver market this silly season, I actually expected him to change teams.
I worry about McLaren favouring Lewis, and Jenson winging for the next three years.
Not only that Jenson has been known for making waves when it comes to changing teams (William VS BAR/Honda anyone?). So for him to “go where the money is” doesn’t suprise me.
I also see McLaren as being a stronger team than Brawn next year. Maybe Button does too. I know I would rather drive for a team where I only have to battle my teamate for the championship, not my partner AND the faster team.
agree
Makes sense in a few ways for Jenson. The way the McLaren car developed over last few months in comparison to Brawn’s probably means it is going to start next season stronger. I’ll think he’ll thrive on having Lewis as the team mate to beat. He’s won the championship already, a second title is a bonus, there won’t be the desperation there was this year.
People are saying Button shouldn’t be greedy and take what money Brawn are offering him but bear in mind he dropped 5 million of his agreed salary last year, and now Ross and Nick Fry have pocketed 10’s of millions from the sale of the team that he helped win the championship. Does he benefit from the sale? It doesn’t look like it!
Some would argue the salary drop was more of a salary correction as he was being overpaid by Honda. :)
Makin’ a memory effort, also Surtees and Lauda leaving ferrari with their championship were at those era something shocking..
Also Gilles wanted to leave ferrari with a title after 1982, after imola he was signin’ for Mclaren..but it occured a major shock.
In this case for Jenson, even if will be hard or impossible beating Lewis at his home, is in my opinion a question of pride, not only money.
Not really, Jenson has a history of jumping teams when it suits him. No driver is bigger than the team, even with Ross onboard.
McLaren needs a strong pairing as they’ve been effectively a single driver team for the past two seasons.
I think Jenson should join Lewis next year. McLaren is going to be the team to beat and if as rumoured it is a three year (18 million pound deal) he would be silly to hang around Brawn. I do not think it is necessarily going to be a Lewis walkover as Jenson won this year’s championship in fine style. Hopefully have two such strong drivers will not recreate the situation of 2007.
What will happen to Kimi? Will he consider going to the new Mercedes (nee Brawn) team?