Button or Barrichello?

[alelanza]

Thanks for that article Moanlower, it truly puts my mind at ease, the whole thing was mind boggling.
Also thank you for calling me untalented, i had a hard time learning left foot braking!!! I'll take comfort in that i was rather old when i started trying

Now seriously, what an article to read at this point in time. Who would have thought he'd be here in 09, with a good shot at winning races and perhaps even more than that.

[nae]

left foot braking is easy when you have one pedal under each foot and a clutch on the steering wheel, its only complicated when you have to dance on all 3 with a 'normal' layout, i imagine there is a leg strength / feel issue to develop

and no in my car i cant left foot brake as the steering column is in the way

[alelanza]

i imagine there is a leg strength / feel issue to develop

That IS the main issue when you start out. Your left leg is way too heavy for the brake, at least mine was. You do get used and overcome the main hurdle after the first 15 min or so, but there's still a lot of work required to get to an acceptable level, at least that was my experience. Also at some point i realized i was riding the brake, not cool. But again, it did go away with time.

[Roland Ehnström]

My gut feeling is that Button is the faster driver of the two, at least when he is truly "on it". Rubens experience might help him in a long championship, but Jenson is getting rather experienced too. Both drivers are smooth, both are good in the rain, and Ross will give them both excellent strategies. Overall either one of them could win given a fast enough car, which I think they will have, at least early in the season.

I have a €10 bet placed on Jenson for winning the championship at 101/1 odds, so naturally I'm cheering for him... But I also have smaller bets placed on both Brawn drivers to win the Aussie GP (at 20/1 and 60/1 odds), so I won't be too upset if Rubens has the best start to the season.

I think Massa will win, though, the race and the championship.

[RH1300S]

Button - but only just and mainly because I'm a Brit & biased.

On last seasons evidence Rubens is every bit as good as "Our Jense" - perhaps not quite as quick ultimately, but very savvy in a race situation (and how can you not like Rubens).

I have a sneaking feeling that last year we saw a VERY hungry Rubens racing against a slightly FED-UP Jenson.

This year both will have their tails up and be giving it a good shot.

All in all a strong driver pairing - Ross should be a happy man right now.

[freedom_honda]

If Jenson does gets a good car that is capable of fighting for wins, i reckon he would be very motivated because he knows that he doesnt usually get a good car.

And Barrichello would be driving his heart out as well because he knows the only way to prove he is good enough to stay in F1 is to drive fast, REALLY fast.

[DaveKillens]

Button is the faster driver of the two, at least when he is truly "on it".

But the trouble is.. when was the last time Button was "on it"? Back at the end of the '06 season? That's over two years ago, and I have serious reservations if he has any motivation. Look at Vettel last year, making a mid-field car do more than expected. Button sure hasn't shown any signs of brilliance or even determination for the last two years. Considering his salary, right now him I rate him "seriously overrated". The guy has to prove himself all over again with me.

[Sawtooth-spike]

I remember reading somewhere that Button Did REALLY well in 2007, That car was useless and he was putting it into place it should never of been. However last year the car was just as bad and he didnt seem to have the heart.

Saying that when can we last say RB was "on it", He had just as bad 2008 as JB.

My Money is on JB, he still has something to prove. RB also has something to prove, but not to the same extent, lets face hit he drove a ferrari when they were at there best and practicly unbeatable.

[axle]

I think both JB ad RB will be fired up and that can only be good for BGP!

I would tend to agree that this could be JB's last season if he can't match and beat RB.

Has his racing instinct been blunted by 2 poor cars?
Has his desire been irrecoverable dulled?
Does he want to show the world he is up to the task in a good car?

1 thing I will add, he's shown loyalty to a fault after the cock up with Williams taught him some lessons. I think BGP were right to reward that with a drive despite Surtees' comments to the press.

[RH1300S]

Button sure hasn't shown any signs of brilliance or even determination for the last two years. Considering his salary, right now him I rate him "seriously overrated". The guy has to prove himself all over again with me.

I would agree, but I don't actually think Button is generally highly rated anymore. He fits in the camp of "absolutely must prove he had it in the first place".

Blame it on the cars, or even blame it on Button - the momentum has left his career and I think many people might be wondering if he is as good as they thought he was all those years ago...............

I think he drives a car brilliantly - but in F1 that isn't good enough. He needs to prove that he is a match for the likes of Alonso........

[Ciro Pabón]

I don't know if I've already told this joke (it's an old NASCAR joke):

Ross Brawn arrives to the garage where the BrawnGP cars are being prepared. A mechanic is standing outside the garage, and can't help but notice that Brawn has a dog under each arm.

The mechanic waves and says, "Welcome back, Mr. Brawn. Nice dogs, sir."

Brawn smiles and says, "These aren't ordinary dogs. These are genuine Labrador Retrievers. I got this one for Button, and I got this one for Rubens."

The mechanic says, "Good trade, sir."

Now, seriously, I think that in modern F1 your final position depends, let's say, 70% on the car and 30% on the driver. Both, Rubens and Mr. Button will shine this year. Perhaps not in the second semester, as Brawn hasn't the money to invest throughout the year, but...

[Conceptual]

I don't know if I've already told this joke (it's an old NASCAR joke):

Ross Brawn arrives to the garage where the BrawnGP cars are being prepared. A mechanic is standing outside the garage, and can't help but notice that Brawn has a dog under each arm.

The mechanic waves and says, "Welcome back, Mr. Brawn. Nice dogs, sir."

Brawn smiles and says, "These aren't ordinary dogs. These are genuine Labrador Retrievers. I got this one for Button, and I got this one for Rubens."

The mechanic says, "Good trade, sir."

Now, seriously, I think that in modern F1 your final position depends, let's say, 70% on the car and 30% on the driver. Both, Rubens and Mr. Button will shine this year. Perhaps not in the second semester, as Brawn hasn't the money to invest throughout the year, but...

Why not? Honda paid this years salaries, so what else do they need to invest in?

[Chaparral]

Thats an oldie but a goldie as they say Ciro

Brawn has a budget (gifted to them from Honda) of somewhere between $143 mill and $180 mill - enough to do the job this year - who knows whats coming down the pike this year - Pepsi sponsorship possibly. Rubens will do his utmost with the car - not that sure what Button will do though - he doesnt from my humble observation over the years have the racer gene in him - dont shoot me Im only the piano player

[alelanza]

I genuinely believe RB might have the biggest championship thirst of the whole grid. His 'back from the grave' situation can only have fueled that.

[andartop]

I can't help myself, so here goes: I think both of these guys are good but not as good as to challenge for a WDC (unless if the car is THAT good..). I base this belief upon numerous mediocre performances from both, many mistakes and many wasted opportunities. JB has proved on many occasions he can be so bad when he's driving a bad car it was actually shocking (ie Spa 2001 when Fisico managed a podium finish - and almost second place - ahead of Mika Hakkinen, and Button was struggling for 15th..). Rubens on the other hand has shown he can be either amazing when everything's spot on or very prone to mistakes or 'bored' performances - a la Massa. I'm not going to argue about whether during the Ferrari years the team supported Michael over Rubens or not - that's a whole other huge subject - but I'll just say that had that been the only reason Rubens would have (should have) finished every season right behind Michael, which he didn't. I'd definitely support Rubens over Button, but I have to conclude by saying that I really wish Brawn GP is good enough to allow both of them to prove me wrong..