Mercedes may not sign him, nor Team Ron. Kimi may be a better route for Team Ron, though unlikely and Heidfield may be a better choice for Merc.
***Official 2010 F1 thread***
- Thread starter Glaucus
- Start date
Mercedes may not sign him, nor Team Ron. Kimi may be a better route for Team Ron, though unlikely and Heidfield may be a better choice for Merc.
The problem is that any driver who McLaren bring in, will automatically be No.2 to McLaren (unofficially). Alonso is the only guy who this may not apply to, as he would have it written into his contract that he would get equal or prefential treatment (once bitten, twice shy).
Even though McLaren would never officially say that Button is No.2 to Hamilton, Hamilton will undoubtedly receive preferential treatment. The mere fact that Hamilton is McLaren's "darling" will ensure that he gets preferential treatment. The mere fact that since Alonso's departure, the car has been developed in-line with Hamilton's input and expecatations tells us that the team is centred around him (and rightfully so - this is a strategy that has netted Alonso and MS many world titles).
You could say that Button's arrival at McLaren would be similar to Mika Hakinnen joining Ferrari to partner MS, in 2000, after he won his 2 titles - MS will 100% get preferential treatment, even if the reigning double world champ joined the team.
I know this all sounds unfair, but it is the harsh reality.
How so?
I think he'd have to play his cards rather negatively to miss out on the McLaren drive.
Don
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Indeed, I was thinking the same thing..
He will have known about the Mercedes deal for close to 2 months, I know that because I did, so it's fair to assume so did he as I don't work there! On this basis, as they have secured Rosberg for next season it is not to difficult to see that his place or the offer on the table is not that compelling or else it would be signed and sorted by now. Also, Heidfield is German and having a FULL German in the team alongside an adopted one will be good for the brand I suspect.
Now McLaren might work really well, 2 Brits in the team would be compelling to Vodafone as Brundell said in his piece in the Times at the weekend but are we sure Hamilton would be happy with this, or would Jenson be happy with a contract that didn't give him prime status in the team. They have Hamilton who (in my view) is the quickest man out there so sometimes it comes down to being simply to much trouble. Jenson did great first half of the year, less so second half. No question on his game he is quick, lots of people are questioning his head though.
You're post is mega confusing.
I'm talking about Button driving at McLaren. Button at Brawn is not going to happen now. Vodafone won't have any British drivers as they are following Merc to Brawn.
2010 looks to be very interesting. Amazing kudos for Brawn, picks up the team from nothing, wins both championships and sells all in under a year. Honda must be ruing the day the gave the term away now that Mercedes have bought it for lots of cash less than a year later.
Real shame Merc are bringing in two German drivers, Rosberg I understand don’t really get NH. What’s the marketing point in having two Germans? Surely the world champion, esp. a media friendly one like Jenson is better than a second German. Ah well.
Button could be trouble though... is McLaren pretty much his only choice now? Does that leave him fighting for that seat with Kimi? For the same cost, I’d choose Kimi over Jenson – is it possible that the current world champion will be without a decent drive?!
Real shame Merc are bringing in two German drivers, Rosberg I understand don’t really get NH. What’s the marketing point in having two Germans? Surely the world champion, esp. a media friendly one like Jenson is better than a second German. Ah well.
Button could be trouble though... is McLaren pretty much his only choice now? Does that leave him fighting for that seat with Kimi? For the same cost, I’d choose Kimi over Jenson – is it possible that the current world champion will be without a decent drive?!
Exactly, just the same as Kova if there are any new parts going they will appear one one car well before the other. This is team Lewis, Button may not know it but he will be going there as a definate no2.
As DC said when he won the team looked miserable and hardly celebrated, because Mika hadn't won. There are other ways to make sure you have a pecking order without a contract.
Button might well be Lewis equal on pace over a race distance but he will have to be even better than that to make sure he does it in unequal equipment with unequal support.
I think it will be
Lewis and Heidy
Rosberg and Button.
This is just leverage from both sides but Button holds less power now.
Kimi is atleast 2-3 times more expensive than Button. Even for the same money I'd take Button over Kimi based on form, speed and interest.
Kimi is on atleast 17 million a year even if he doesn't drive next year. Jenson wants 7 million.
Would Button cost anywhere near what Kimi would demand?
Danny, you're so gay.. I'm not going to play MW2 with you if you pre-empt my posts.
I was not aware Vodafone was going from McLaren, but remove than from the equation and my point is much the same. Button could loose the McLaren offer if he doesn't play his cards right, Kimmi might be a better option for them.
Soldato
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Where do you get this from? Because it seems extremely unlikely.
Thats a woopsy on my part, I mis-read earlier posts in the thread. FrankJH suggested it as a rumour, not fact.
But I still think Button is in a much better place than Kimi to drive at McLaren. I think Kimi would have to do something outstanding to take the drive, or vice versa.
The gayest
I'm just a bullet catcher anyway 
I think Button will now take whatever Brawn will offer him. Brawn is just using Heidfeld as bait to get him to sign.
So this now makes them a German team with the British National anthem dropped I take it, even though it's based in the UK?
i'll be damned if i can follow all of this
1) Barrichello and Rosberg are doing a swapsie then ? Rosberg to Brawn/Mercedes Racing and Barrichello to williams
2) Button currently mulling over mercedes/brawn or a move to mclaren to join lewis hamilton
3) Alonson replacing kimi, kimi not got a clue who wants him yet, alonson joins massa at ferrari
4) Toyota and BMW both to leave F1
5) Lotus F1, Campos, USF1 and manor all joining
despite no confirmation over budget caps ?
about it so far ?
Yes, I think so. Trying to get my head around it all too.
Never a dull moment when supporting / following F1
Looks like I will have to support a new driver next season. Ive always liked Vettel with his funny and simple approach to things!
![[TW]Taggart](/styles/overclockers/avatars/4.png){kind=avatar}
Associate
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Anyone know when the 2010 testing starts in portugal/spain next feb?
Nuts?
OCUK meet?
Nuts?
OCUK meet?
I think Kimi is done and dusted at McLaren because he wants too much money - he will be paid more by Ferrari to sit out the season than McLaren were willing to offer (and rumours suggest that Button is after 2/3 of what McLaren were prepared to pay for Kimi)
I would also suggest that given Kimi would probably be outperformed by Lewis, after a few races Jenson would be doing a better job than Kimi's more......relaxed style lol
Sorry for misleading anyone - yes the Vodafone move to Brawn is only a rumour but I still believe it could well happen before the start of '10 season
Unless you know for definite otherwise lol - I dont think so, I think its all down to Merc wanting a German team (and Heidfeld should be as cheap as chips)
I think offering JB as reigning world champ £4m for the season is a complete joke whatever team you are - especially if you have a new title sponsor (irrespective of new ownership) - without even considering last years deal being cut price because the team had little money
JRS - the other thing to consider is whether there is enough friction between the Hamilton's and McLaren as suggested , IF there is (and that is a big IF) then that could also work in Button's favour, but as Ive posted previously JB has a very slim chance of race wins and beating LH in a fair fight (as it will be anything but fair)
I would also suggest that given Kimi would probably be outperformed by Lewis, after a few races Jenson would be doing a better job than Kimi's more......relaxed style lol
Sorry for misleading anyone - yes the Vodafone move to Brawn is only a rumour but I still believe it could well happen before the start of '10 season
Unless you know for definite otherwise lol - I dont think so, I think its all down to Merc wanting a German team (and Heidfeld should be as cheap as chips)
I think offering JB as reigning world champ £4m for the season is a complete joke whatever team you are - especially if you have a new title sponsor (irrespective of new ownership) - without even considering last years deal being cut price because the team had little money
JRS - the other thing to consider is whether there is enough friction between the Hamilton's and McLaren as suggested , IF there is (and that is a big IF) then that could also work in Button's favour, but as Ive posted previously JB has a very slim chance of race wins and beating LH in a fair fight (as it will be anything but fair)
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I don't know if anyone has noticed . . .
. . . also . . .
Lucky fella, it's almost as good as winning the lottery
. . . also . . .
McLaren WILL eventually walk away from F1.
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