63 replies to this topic

[Insider]

Off to Nice tonight but I thought it might be good to start a new topic off before I go. I'll have some thing to read then!

Can you help Jenson Button? Came second in the WDC last year but despite two DNFs, a win in Oz and a 2nd in China, the boy seems entirely unhappy with his lot, not least the tyres.

If you were Martin Whitmarsh what would you be thinking? Even if you weren't..........suggestions anyone?

[AleHop]

If the main problem are the Pirellis it could change depending on the compounds. I think he's been a bit unlucky and looks a bit frustrated. Amazingly, Hamilton's been clearly unlucky and looks more relaxed than ever, he looks a totally different driver and personality.

Monaco is just 6th race of the season. Button might win there or get a very good result and then everything would change. Unexpectedly you think the Pirellis should be an advantage for him as you have to race looking after the tires but, as FA said, the season is strange.

[JHS18]

Jenson's a big boy now. I'm sure as a Formula One World Champion he is in the best position to sort out his problems, not us...

[Massa]

Get the pucks deep and win battles along the boards...

No wait...

Uh...

I still can't figure out 2012 Formula One and what you need to do to win or how you need to drive, quite honestly.  I'm of no use to Jenson or any other driver.  Except for Felipe Massa.  I can help Massa.  I'd tell him to retire.

[AleHop]

So you admit I was the only one that helped Jenson...

[Quiet One]

What James said.

Jenson has been very disappointing this year. He can't complain about the tires if he behaves like them. His windows of performance is too narrow. He can win a race and look completely lost even with the best car under him.

[Gilles V.]

Hi his main problem is LH, who now has learn to better  save his tire and can win on almost any track. JB'ssetting problem I'm sure will be fixed by Monaco and he and Louis will fight it out, and I'm not sure it is going to be friendly for the rest of the year as the race bwtween the two tightens up. Team order at a certain point? I think this could be another of JB's problem since I think LH is the better driver.

[dribbler]

I don't think Jenson is struggling in isolation, therefore to single him out as someone who in need of help is a bit unfair and a little misleading. If I knew about the complexities of how these tyres affect the way a driver reacts, I would tell you all. Unfortunately I don't, neither does Jenson, or indeed the majority of the rest of the field.

Of all the drivers, when an answer emerges, I bet it's Jenson who'sone of the first to find it.

The others who think they do understand, are lying.

[BradSpeedMan]

dribbler, on 22 May 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I don't think Jenson is struggling in isolation, therefore to single him out as someone who in need of help is a bit unfair and a little misleading. If I knew about the complexities of how these tyres affect the way a driver reacts, I would tell you all. Unfortunately I don't, neither does Jenson, or indeed the majority of the rest of the field.

Of all the drivers, when an answer emerges, I bet it's Jenson who'sone of the first to find it.

The others who think they do understand, are lying.

Now this is wisdom...lovely stuff!

[HandyNZL]

Tell him to buck up and get some results, or he's fired.

Simples.

[Caesar]

i could help him, but it will cost him, or mclaren could just fire lewis and sign kovalainen, like they did in 2008 for lewis.

[Quiet One]

Caesar, on 23 May 2012 - 12:04 PM, said:

i could help him, but it will cost him, or mclaren could just fire lewis and sign kovalainen, like they did in 2008 for lewis.

Zing.

[Insider]

dribbler, on 22 May 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I don't think Jenson is struggling in isolation, therefore to single him out as someone who in need of help is a bit unfair and a little misleading. If I knew about the complexities of how these tyres affect the way a driver reacts, I would tell you all. Unfortunately I don't, neither does Jenson, or indeed the majority of the rest of the field.

Of all the drivers, when an answer emerges, I bet it's Jenson who'sone of the first to find it.

The others who think they do understand, are lying.

I can think of nothing better when I am having lunch on the roof of the Fairmont Monaco than to answer a post from my mate, Steve.

Seriously, it was not my intention to single JB out as such. He just seems to be complaining more than most, that's all. I agree that the tyre issue has everyone foxed. That's certainly the buzz here, where we will see the supersoft compound for the first time this season.  If any compound would suit Jens this could be it, especially as it is the only compound that hasn't changed since last year. Also, tyre wear is not an issue at Monaco usually. Unfortunately, the forecast is for rain on Sat and Sun. Most of the locals agree. The fastest man on a wet compound may be the pole sitter. If the heavens do open, then the Marshals will be busy round here.

[LabradoRacer]

dribbler, on 22 May 2012 - 06:29 PM, said:

I don't think Jenson is struggling in isolation, therefore to single him out as someone who in need of help is a bit unfair and a little misleading. If I knew about the complexities of how these tyres affect the way a driver reacts, I would tell you all. Unfortunately I don't, neither does Jenson, or indeed the majority of the rest of the field.

Of all the drivers, when an answer emerges, I bet it's Jenson who'sone of the first to find it.

The others who think they do understand, are lying.

Don't know about Jenson being the first one to find an answer, but I agree with the rest. This season is a lottery.

[Gilles V.]

During the last race, JB had problem way behond the tires. His car was undrivable because of bad adjustments. He might not have found the problem yet. LH had no such problems.

[Insider]

Gilles V., on 23 May 2012 - 01:39 PM, said:

During the last race, JB had problem way behond the tires. His car was undrivable because of bad adjustments. He might not have found the problem yet. LH had no such problems.

At the moment, a cloud passing over the sun can alter the Pirelli's operating window. They are way beyond a 'challenge'. I would say that if five races in, the best brains in motorsport can't figure them out, then maybe Pirelli need to make alterations. JB's balance problems seem to be a permanent achilles heel for him but he is perhaps more fickle than most of his contemporaries and this year's Pirellis have made his situation much worse.

[Gilles V.]

Right, but then again, they are all on the same tyres, so his problem are hard to explain given that he is such a good driver.

[Argento Reloaded]

If he take some advice from Massa

[Quiet One]

Insider, on 23 May 2012 - 01:53 PM, said:

At the moment, a cloud passing over the sun can alter the Pirelli's operating window. They are way beyond a 'challenge'. I would say that if five races in, the best brains in motorsport can't figure them out, then maybe Pirelli need to make alterations. JB's balance problems seem to be a permanent achilles heel for him but he is perhaps more fickle than most of his contemporaries and this year's Pirellis have made his situation much worse.

That is precisely why it is the momento to stop complaining all the time about the tires. they do not favor anybody at present so you may vent your frustration during the week all you want, but come the race weekend is the moment to focus on how to make the most of what you have. And that is when Jenson is failing this year, much to my surprise. One thing nobody ever contested was that he was always mentally stronger than Lewis. it is strange to say the least to watch him losing the mind games with his team mate and I think his mood is affecting his performance. Even taking in account how much the tires can hamper a driver, and despite the horrible mistakes from Macca this year, he should have come out better than he did in the past races. After all the team mistakes, tire surprises and sheer bad luck, he just never seemed fired up or showing his best fighting spirit like last year.

Of all the usual suspects we could have imagined for this year (Webber, Vettel, Lewis, Alonso, Kimi and Jenson) he seems to be the one that is falling behind. Again, not talking about actual points, I am talking about attitude.

Bah, I don't know what I am talking about anymore.

[Insider]

Quiet One, on 23 May 2012 - 02:53 PM, said:

That is precisely why it is the momento to stop complaining all the time about the tires. they do not favor anybody at present so you may vent your frustration during the week all you want, but come the race weekend is the moment to focus on how to make the most of what you have. And that is when Jenson is failing this year, much to my surprise. One thing nobody ever contested was that he was always mentally stronger than Lewis. it is strange to say the least to watch him losing the mind games with his team mate and I think his mood is affecting his performance. Even taking in account how much the tires can hamper a driver, and despite the horrible mistakes from Macca this year, he should have come out better than he did in the past races. After all the team mistakes, tire surprises and sheer bad luck, he just never seemed fired up or showing his best fighting spirit like last year.

Of all the usual suspects we could have imagined for this year (Webber, Vettel, Lewis, Alonso, Kimi and Jenson) he seems to be the one that is falling behind. Again, not talking about actual points, I am talking about attitude.

Bah, I don't know what I am talking about anymore.

Yeah, a good post. A lot of it on the money, I believe.

[dribbler]

Quiet One, on 23 May 2012 - 02:53 PM, said:

That is precisely why it is the momento to stop complaining all the time about the tires. they do not favor anybody at present so you may vent your frustration during the week all you want, but come the race weekend is the moment to focus on how to make the most of what you have. And that is when Jenson is failing this year, much to my surprise. One thing nobody ever contested was that he was always mentally stronger than Lewis. it is strange to say the least to watch him losing the mind games with his team mate and I think his mood is affecting his performance. Even taking in account how much the tires can hamper a driver, and despite the horrible mistakes from Macca this year, he should have come out better than he did in the past races. After all the team mistakes, tire surprises and sheer bad luck, he just never seemed fired up or showing his best fighting spirit like last year.

Of all the usual suspects we could have imagined for this year (Webber, Vettel, Lewis, Alonso, Kimi and Jenson) he seems to be the one that is falling behind. Again, not talking about actual points, I am talking about attitude.

Bah, I don't know what I am talking about anymore.

The flip side of this of course is that it shows just how comfortable and confident Jenson is these days that he can publicly and very honestly show his troubles. Many other drivers would feel this could be a sign of weakness. Jenson, however is just being himself. We know already how strong he has become. He hasn't had a personality transplant in five races.

[dribbler]

Insider, on 23 May 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I can think of nothing better when I am having lunch on the roof of the Fairmont Monaco than to answer a post from my mate, Steve.

Sounds simply awful.

Enjoy.

[Insider]

dribbler, on 23 May 2012 - 10:19 PM, said:

The flip side of this of course is that it shows just how comfortable and confident Jenson is these days that he can publicly and very honestly show his troubles. Many other drivers would feel this could be a sign of weakness. Jenson, however is just being himself. We know already how strong he has become. He hasn't had a personality transplant in five races.

I agree. He has a WDC in his pocket, he figures he has plenty of time to grab another, he's with a top team and there is no reason to panic. He's harvested a huge amount of respect in the pit lane and feels safe.

[Delta]

Jenson's a world class driver and a former world champion. He'll get to grips with them eventually. The base package he has is clearly very strong and once he finds a way to work his tyres properly I feel he'll be threatening Lewis, Seb, and Fernando again.

[The Shadow]

Jenson's always been one to give a lot of feedback to his engineers, and is candid about it to the press
He'll find a solution in these few races

[Rainmaster]

He complains a lot but that is nothing unusual; I don't think he's struggling that much, to be honest (only 8pts from Hamilton who's driving well). Hardly Massa territory. Let's see how he goes in Monaco.

Edit: It took me two edits to work out the difference between JB & LH's points tallies, 45 and 53. First I thought it was 12, then 13. It's time to go to bed.

Edited by Rainmaster, 24 May 2012 - 07:19 AM.

[Quiet One]

I think most here are missing the point Sean was trying to address. He wwas not talking about Jenson's score, Jenson vs LH, whether you are confident or not in his skills or if he can become the next WDC in an HRT while singing his  favorite bits from "The Sounds of Music".

Sean mentioned Jenson's unhappy mood, which is notable in a driver who is notable for being everything but.

[dribbler]

Quiet One, on 24 May 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

I think most here are missing the point Sean was trying to address. He wwas not talking about Jenson's score, Jenson vs LH, whether you are confident or not in his skills or if he can become the next WDC in an HRT while singing his  favorite bits from "The Sounds of Music".

Sean mentioned Jenson's unhappy mood, which is notable in a driver who is notable for being everything but.

How dare you insinuate we are missing the point; I can't believe you think Jenson could be champion in an HRT.....

Jenson just needs a damned good meal.That'll put a smile on his face. He is looking more gaunt than Mark 'skull head' Webber.

[Quiet One]

dribbler, on 24 May 2012 - 11:02 AM, said:

How dare you insinuate we are missing the point; I can't believe you think Jenson could be champion in an HRT.....

Jenson just needs a damned good meal.That'll put a smile on his face. He is looking more gaunt than Mark 'skull head' Webber.

Your fatherly instincts are ruining your tough guy's reputation, Steve.

[Rainmaster]

I didn't miss the point I just ignored it because I don't agree that Jenson seems that unhappy. This smells of the whole "Vettel cannot handle not having the best car" idea that was knocking around after a few races, now forgotten. But maybe I just haven't noticed for some reason. Anyway, I think JB will be fine.

Edited by Rainmaster, 24 May 2012 - 01:30 PM.