[alexs2]

As there is news today of Brawn GP's takeover by Mercedes,and this relates more to 2010 than 2009.....here's a new thread.

All F1 related news etc should go here..

Thank you.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/80174

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Bus...GP_Racing_Team

[MarkyPancake]

Brawn GP was a short story then.

[JohnG]

I wonder if this means they'll get preferential treatment over engines with Mercedes then?

[jonneymendoza]

maybe. interesting

[benhaha85]

Originally Posted by JohnG

I wonder if this means they'll get preferential treatment over engines with Mercedes then?

Doubt it, given the current freeze on engine development.

[alexs2]

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

Brawn GP was a short story then.

Maybe so,but you couldn't see Ross Brawn turning down that sort of offer,and in any case,had Honda continued,there never would have been a Brawn GP.

Good luck to all...Brawn and all concerned did an amazing job of turning the closure of one team into a superb success story.

He's managed to take the ashes of Honda,and turn it into something that Mercedes now have as their "works" team.

[davepuma]

Button and Hamilton both at McLaren? Clash of the egos? Alonso all over again?

[JohnG]

Originally Posted by davepuma

Button and Hamilton both at McLaren? Clash of the egos? Alonso all over again?

I doubt either of those 2 are as sulky as Alonso and they'll probably both try harder to beat the other driver rather than just sit there moaning like el-sulky-chops did.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by davepuma

Button and Hamilton both at McLaren? Clash of the egos? Alonso all over again?

Alonso only had the hump because he expected preferential treatment, when in reality McLaren give both drivers an equal playing field. Will be interesting to see them both go head-to-head in the same car, I've always rated Button, but think Hamilton may just have the edge on him over a whole season.

[hdsport]

Originally Posted by davepuma

Button and Hamilton both at McLaren? Clash of the egos? Alonso all over again?

Perhaps but Button doesn't have half the talent of Alonso especially when it comes to racing a car that doesn't quite suit him...baring something extraordinary happening over the winter Hamilton would be odds on to out-perform him all year so any ego clash would be a one way street.

Now if Kimi was there then that would be an ego clash and a genuine battle between teammates. Of course that would play into the other teams hands!

As for McLaren there were rumours about them buying BMW's engine operation and we already know their next road car will have their own engine.

It all seems to tie-in with Ron's 'vision' for the McLaren Group as a whole, which obviously wouldn't fit too well with Daimler AG's own plans.

[loz]

So is this is what is behind what has been reported as Button's apparent reluctance to sign a new contract with Brawn (or is that Braun now?) ?

Rather than Button, might it have been Brawn who were delaying the signing, knowing what was actually going on?

Very disappointing really. Having been hailed as a good british success, they immediately sell out.

Can't see any reason whatsoever for any British F1 fan to support Mercedes GP next year.

Let's hope McLaren can bring greater success.

[hdsport]

Originally Posted by loz

So is this is what is behind what has been reported as Button's apparent reluctance to sign a new contract with Brawn (or is that Braun now?) ?

Rather than Button, might it have been Brawn who were delaying the signing, knowing what was actually going on?

mmm not sure that Jenson can ever be thought of as being a victim or naive when it comes to contract negotiations. His antics when he got himself out of a Williams drive to stay at BAR weren't exactly honourable.

[Miss Chief]

Having the number 1 on your car next season is an instant TV camera magnet and I suspect Mercedes will probably keep Button and pair him with Rosberg. i can't really see any benefit in having heidfeld and Rosberg, but Button at McLaren, if he shows Lewis up perhaps the naysayers might actually admit that Jenson is a bloody good driver?

[Steven]

If Brawn continue to be a frontrunner I suspect they will remain TV magnets just fine

Jenson might prefer McLaren because they are on an upward development curve and can offer the money, but I suspect it is also the cachet. I cannot remember when people were so lukewarm about someone being made world champion

[jonneymendoza]

Originally Posted by Miss Chief

Having the number 1 on your car next season is an instant TV camera magnet and I suspect Mercedes will probably keep Button and pair him with Rosberg. i can't really see any benefit in having heidfeld and Rosberg, but Button at McLaren, if he shows Lewis up perhaps the naysayers might actually admit that Jenson is a bloody good driver?

show up ham? possibly but i doubt it. to me ham is the best driver in f1 IMO.

A risk taker

[Steven]

Not just limited to that though. Hamilton can make an average or under-performing car and make things happen. Hekki just could not compare. All too often Button. Fair play to Button he pulled it out in the last few races when he had to for the Championship, but he also needs to give a lot of credit to his engineers

[Noggin1980]

The Guardian are saying the Button to Mclaren is a done deal for 3 years, 6 mill a year though while agreed not yet signed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009...laren-contract

Very excited.

Only downside is if Mclaren produce a dog of a car it's going to seriously hinder my enjoyment of the season with my 2 favourite drivers both driving it.

Hamilton/button vs Alonso/Massa though could be epic.

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by Noggin1980

Only downside is if Mclaren produce a dog of a car it's going to seriously hinder my enjoyment of the season with my 2 favourite drivers both driving it.

That is what worries me as well.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by dazza74

That is what worries me as well.

They won't though, the cars won't be changing much for next season so they have a few months to improve what was already starting to look like a very good package.

[Harj]

The Mclaren car did start making inroads and Hamilton did win 2 races with a dog car of a car and secured pole as well, my guess is Mclaren have there 2010 card well developed already as the start of the season was bad and they fell away from both titles quite early.

I think that is in Buttons mind if he does got to Mclaren & I would love it! All brit team , brit drivers and world champions as well. Along with Alonso & Massa at Ferrari I expect fireworks for 2010!

Oh, I think Nico Rosberg is pretty quick driver so if he goes to Mercedes lets throw him in the mix.

[Noggin1980]

I expect the Mclaren to be good too even with Mercades reduceing their input, I'd be surprised if Mclaren and Ferrari arn't back at the front with Red Bull and Mercades F1 (or whatever they will be called) fighting over 3rd. It still feels like all my eggs are in one basket though.

I enjoyed cheering on Brawn this year but while I like Rosberg I'll have little desire at all to cheer on Rosberg/Heinfeld in a a mercades branded team. I'd be cheering on Red Bull as a second high end team I think as I really like Webber and Vettel.

Then at the lower end cheering on Virgin F1 (just because Virgin are one of the only companies in the world that are doing something that truely excites me(Virgin Galactic)) and probably Lotus. Though if someone picks up Davidson I'd be cheering him on too.

[Lazy Bones]

Not convinced that this will be such a good move for Button. Hamilton is the chosen one at McClaren, Button will have to get used not being the number one.

Also they're driving styles are completely the opposite from each other, Hamilton very aggressive, Button very smooth, won't be easy for McClaren to develop a car to suit both.

[The Atheist]

Originally Posted by Lazy Bones

Not convinced that this will be such a good move for Button. Hamilton is the chosen one at McClaren, Button will have to get used not being the number one.

Also they're driving styles are completely the opposite from each other, Hamilton very aggressive, Button very smooth, won't be easy for McClaren to develop a car to suit both.

Button was never "number one" at Brawn, and strictly speaking neither has hamilton. McLaren treat both drivers equally (it was alonso that wanted preferential treatment). And on the subject of producing a car to suit both, it shouldn't matter so long as they produce a good car.

[alexs2]

The only problem for Button will be that his driving style has been said by others to be diametrically opposite to Hamilton......JB likes a car with a bit of understeer and has a very smooth style.

Hamilton likes a very snappy,pointy car,and drives it on the edge......resolving that will be difficult for a designer,needing to produce a car that can be adapted to both styles.

[hdsport]

Originally Posted by The Atheist

And on the subject of producing a car to suit both, it shouldn't matter so long as they produce a good car.

Yes but the tendency of the car will most likely be to oversteer (i.e. suiting Lewis' driving style)...Andrew Benson addressed this in his blog

BBC - BBC Sport: Andrew Benson: What Mercedes buy-out of Brawn could mean

Jenson's main problem however will not be the car (or any bias) just that he isn't as talented as Lewis. In my opinion there's a big 4 of current F1 drivers (Hamilton, Raikkonen, Alonso, Vettel) and Jenson just isn't in their league...


EDIT Alexs2 has beaten me to it re driving styles etc.

[Kebabhead]

So it's confirmed Button has signed for McClaren, not sure he had any other choice

[loz]

Originally Posted by Kebabhead

So it's confirmed Button has signed for McClaren, not sure he had any other choice

Link

BBC SPORT | Motorsport | Formula 1 | Button joins Hamilton at McLaren

[MarkyPancake]

What's this about Raikkonen getting paid millions to do nothing. Where can I sign up?

[hdsport]

Originally Posted by mjpartyboy

What's this about Raikkonen getting paid millions to do nothing. Where can I sign up?

Shows Ferrari/various sponsors aren't short of a bob or two if they can pay that much to get rid of him and that's before paying Fernando!

Seems the rumours are Vettel/Kimi @ Red Bull in 2011 (assuming he comes back) possibly with Kimi rallying in a Red Bull sponsored car in the WRC next year!!!

If the later happens then almost certainly he'll be part of Red Bull's F1 plans and Webber will be out of a drive after next season.

Personally I'd much rather have seen Jenson without a drive than Kimi who's a much bigger talent (unfortunately with wage demands to match).

[whiskyboozer]

McLaren made an ass of it the last time they had two drivers going for the WDC can see same happening again.