They became team mates at McLaren last year – but their F1 careers up to that point were very different.
Both made their F1 debuts with top British teams – although Williams had gone two years without a win when Jenson Button made his debut with them in 2000.
He was something of a stop-gap appointment by the team who had just lost Alessandro Zanardi but had Juan Pablo Montoya arriving for 2001. That left Button on his way to Benetton where he had a poor second season.
Despite a better year in 2002 alongside Jarno Trulli, Button was dropped by the team. He switched to BAR, beginning a seven-year stint with the team which would change names twice.
He finished runner-up to the dominant Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello in 2004. Two years later, after the team became Honda, he broke his Grand Prix duck in a wet race at the Hungaroring having started 14th.
Hamilton arrived in Formula 1 the following year – and their fortunes during that season couldn’t have been more different.
The McLaren driver had a championship-contending car at his disposal and used it to great effect. He finished his first nine races on the podium, matched world champion team mate Fernando Alonso blow for blow and came within a point and a gearbox glitch of winning the title.
Meanwhile Honda produced a disastrous car and Button usually languished at the rear of the field. The following year brought more of the same, but this time Hamilton went all the way and clinched the title in the final race of the year.
But their fortunes reversed in 2009. McLaren lost their way and only a late-season recovery allowed Hamilton to win twice.
Meanwhile Button’s uncompetitive Honda metamorphosed into the stunningly quick Brawn. He won six of the first seven races of the year, putting him so far ahead in the championship that even as other teams caught up with them Button couldn’t be surpassed.
For 2010 the pair teamed up at McLaren. Although Button was perceived by some to be joining ‘Hamilton’s team’ he won two of the first four races of the year.
Hamilton pegged him back as the season went on with three wins of his own, and ended the year ahead of Button in the championship.
Which of these drivers should go through to the next round of the Champion of Champions? Vote for which you think was best below and explain who you voted for and why in the comments.
Lewis Hamilton | Jenson Button | |
Titles | 2008 | 2009 |
Second in title year/s | Felipe Massa | Sebastian Vettel |
Teams | McLaren | Williams, Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda, Brawn, McLaren |
Notable team mates | Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen, Jenson Button | Jacques Villeneuve, Rubens Barrichello, Lewis Hamilton |
Starts | 71 | 189 |
Wins | 14 (19.72%) | 9 (4.76%) |
Poles | 18 (25.35%) | 7 (3.70%) |
Modern points per start1 | 12.31 | 6.16 |
% car failures2 | 2.82 | 13.76 |
Modern points per finish3 | 12.67 | 7.15 |
Notes | Finished on podium on debut and won his sixth race | Impressed in debut season for Williams |
Became champion in his second season after narrowly missing rookie title win | Broke Grand Prix duck at Hungary in 2006 | |
Formerly the youngest ever world champion | Surprise championship winner in 2009 for one-hit-wonders Brawn | |
Bio | Lewis Hamilton | Jenson Button |
1 How many points they scored in their career, adjusted to the 2010 points system, divided by the number of races they started
2 The percentage of races in which they were not classified due to a mechanical failure
3 How many points they scored in their career, adjusted to the 2010 points system, divided by the number of starts in which they did not suffer a race-ending mechanical failure
Which was the better world champion driver?
- Lewis Hamilton (73%)
- Jenson Button (27%)
Total Voters: 810
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Read the F1 Fanatic Champion of Champions introduction for more information and remember to check back tomorrow for the next round.
Have you voted in the previous rounds of Champion of Champions yet? Find them all here:
Champion of Champions
- Ayrton Senna voted Champion of Champions by F1 Fanatic readers
- Champion of Champions in stats
- Champion of Champions Final: Senna vs Schumacher
- Ayrton Senna vs Juan Manuel Fangio
- Michael Schumacher vs Alain Prost
- Ayrton Senna vs Jack Brabham
- Juan Manuel Fangio vs Jackie Stewart
- Alain Prost vs Niki Lauda
- Jim Clark vs Michael Schumacher
- Jack Brabham vs Lewis Hamilton
VXR
16th January 2011, 12:02
I wasn’t expecting that. LOL
RIISE (@riise)
16th January 2011, 14:16
It was only so he could use that picture.
Go Jenson!! I’m not going to give an explanation as too why because i’m rebelling.
Mark
16th January 2011, 14:34
Because you’re an Alonso fan. Yeah, we know.
RIISE (@riise)
16th January 2011, 14:54
Actually no, I respect him as a racer and I know he is in the top 5 on the grid. It’s his attitude that bugs me, I mean 2009 he couldn’t stop complaining about the car. He’s only happy unless he has the best equipment.
Then he comes with this nice guy persona which is clearly fake. Just a completely false person.
Mark
16th January 2011, 15:05
Um, which driver is happy in uncompetitive eqiupment?
Jenson many times this year after quali looked like someone shot his dog, and complained about the car being undriveable and so on and so forth….
Do you remember his ‘How, How can this car be so bad at the moment’ radio blast to his team in Hungary of ’09??
Point is, no driver is happy when his car isnt up to par, and most express their unhappiness about it.
As for your assertion that Lewis is ‘fake’. Unless you know the guy personally you can’t make a judgment on what you think he is. From all accounts the guy is a genuinely good guy and loyal(as we know) to a fault.
Kenny (@kenny)
16th January 2011, 15:31
When Jenson rants he is trashing himself…when Lewis rants he is trashing everyone else. Lewis seems to have got over that, due in large part to the calming influence of Jenson. Jenson’s infuence on the whole mindset of the McLaren team should not be underestimated. That said, Lewis is the better driver (just) and gets my vote.
JonesyUK (@jonesyuk)
16th January 2011, 19:03
An Uncle of mine has a mate who apparently went to school with Hamilton. This mate said Hamilton almost got thrown out of the McLaren young driver program for bullying and had to grovel to the lad who he was bullying to stay in the program.
Not sure how true it is though…
Mike
17th January 2011, 1:31
This is ridiculous… They are both fantastic drivers and neither complain particularly much.
pSynrg
17th January 2011, 15:33
@JonesyUK
My Grandmas daughters youngest son is so glad this appeared on the internet as the bloke down the pub is just not to be believed these days!
Besides, my sisters boyfriends hairdresser knows a mechanic (from a recent service at Kwik-Fit) who has a brother that regulary drives through Stevenage and recons that place is a breeding ground for F1 World Champions as well as bullys!
So absolute factual truth then!
kylenz (@)
18th January 2011, 4:04
They are equal for me.. but I tick Jenson because I know he got a lesser votes. lol
Go Jenson you’ve got a pretty girl. Msrry her. :)
Aditya S (@)
16th January 2011, 14:42
This comparison is absolutely ridiculous because Lewis has already beaten Jenson as a teammate.
Chotazas
16th January 2011, 15:12
Agree. I don´t remember Hamilton complaining in 2009. I remember him winning two races with a difficult car (and almost three : nurburgring-the puncture at the start). I respect Jenson a lot since 2004 but Hamilton handle of the car is amazing and so his speed. His aggresive attitude is great for F1 and he is the joy of lot of races. I am not Hamilton fan but i pray he ´ll stay in F1 lot of years, only to see him fight.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 20:07
I’d say Webber really was on fire and would have won that day anyway.
But yes, it was almost three- from pole at Valencia he lost the race to Barrichello due to a fluffed pitstop.
chotazas
16th January 2011, 22:26
@DAvid A Thanks for make me remember that point. Best Webber race ever i think. He won fighting against a drive-trough. And about Valencia race, i would say the same of you said about webber in nurburgring, Barrichello was very fast that day. It would had been too tight between them.
sato113 (@sato113)
16th January 2011, 18:16
yeah exactly! and as they were both champions! easy answer- Hamilton.
jimscreechy (@)
18th January 2011, 9:52
To be honest, the question of ‘who was the better world champion’ is very ambiguous and confusing. Just what criteria are we supposed to use to make this judgement? What is the metric?
I have been reading the comments here and some people seem to be comparing the drivers on track competencies, others seem solely bent on personalities or personal preferences, the rest seem to be a combination of the two. I have read very few posts from people who compare them as world champions and even they don’t seem clear on the definition of this term.
I think it would have been far simpler and much more concise to simply have asked who is the better driver, or perhaps even, who do you prefer. That would certainly have made the comments here relevant at least.
himmatsj (@himmatsj)
16th January 2011, 12:05
Lol really crazy! Hamilton vs Button….who would’ve though that!
Anyways, it’s pretty obvious that Hamilton the better of the pair.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:08
Too easy. This year we got to see them in equal machinery and Hamilton was miles better.
James
16th January 2011, 12:23
Equal machinary which Hamilton had more input in when developing in previous seasons to 2010 as well as the run up to the 2010 season before Jenson joined.
BBQ2
16th January 2011, 14:20
Lame excuses James :( …. If you consider the effect Whitmarsh had in the later development of the car (See Silverstone where LH was voted down for the new parts)
I hope you will readily find another excuse for your goldboy in Nov. 2011
Tobitron (@tobitron)
16th January 2011, 17:11
No need for that acrimony, BBQ2, that car was definitely the lovechild of Lewis-McLaren development in 2009, so certainly the aggressive driving style of Lewis may well better suited the 2010 car in terms of aggression.
Jenson has already stated that it was his qualifying pace which wasn’t up to the same scratch as Lewis but as we have seen his race pace was easily favourable purely down to his smooth rhythm and of how the general make-up of the cars are in this period. E.g. not so ferociously chuck-able.
jsw11984 (@jarred-walmsley)
16th January 2011, 18:49
Not really, it is true. Why would Jenson have had any input into the car when it would have been over half developed when he joined the team. The car would definetely have been designed for Lewis.
pking008 (@pking008)
18th January 2011, 9:32
James thats the lamest excuse ive heard in a while. So how come Nando was able to beat Felipe in a car that Felipe had an input in designing?
Carl27
19th January 2011, 15:16
Because Alonso is a Great Driver. One of the best as LH is.
Movement (@movement)
16th January 2011, 12:44
I wouldn’t say miles better. He was the better driver, but then again there are only two or three drivers on the grid who are as good as hamilton. (Alonso, Kubica, maybe Vettel) (I dont count Schumacher because he was not on form last year) I guess what I mean by that is that we all expected button to really struggle against him, but overall he still had a pretty good season, and drove some very good races.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 14:32
Movement – So what you’ve said is Hamilton’s a better driver.
I wouldn’t vote for Button because I was surprised he wasn’t as useless as everyone though.
jsw11984 (@jarred-walmsley)
16th January 2011, 18:51
Yes, he said Lewis was a better driver but not a massivly better driver as Button was closer than most people expected him to be.
Joey-Poey (@joey-poey)
16th January 2011, 23:59
Also, keeping within striking distance of the championship until the penultimate race is not a thrashing by any stretch of the imagination. Was Lewis faster? Yes. But he did not wipe the floor with Jenson if you look at how the points wound up.
VXR
16th January 2011, 12:51
But he wasn’t “miles” better, which many thought he would be. The gap is really quite small in terms of overall skill level.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 14:47
Button is by no means an average driver. Why will anyone expect Hamilton to be miles ahead of him. To be 0.1s or 0.2s faster is more than adequate.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
16th January 2011, 15:02
It’s amazing how people underrated Button. In 2009 he was really superb.
People claim it was just the car, but in China, Turkey and Bahrain the Red Bull was actually faster. In Spain they were equally fast and only the other 3 races (of the first 7) Brawn really was the fastest car.
It was really very closely matched in speed. But then Button’s superior performance overcame Webber’s broken leg, Barrichello’s brake problems and Vettel’s 2 big blunders (and inability to overtake).
On the other hand the gap between Button and Hamilton is rather flattered by Hamilton having zo much more mechanical problems. He lost 32 points combined in Spain, Hungary and Japan when Button only lost 4 points in Monaco. They both got rammed by a Red Bull (Hamilton even twice) so in reality the gap should have been 30 points bigger.
magon4 (@magon4)
16th January 2011, 16:03
It’s not as clear as the result will turn out. Button is a really good driver and has actually always been in his career, but the honda not improving can’t really be blamed on him. But at the end of things, Lewis is just the better driver – which says a lot about Lewis.
This is unfair, we should’ve had Button x Vettel and Lewis x Kimi!
alex
16th January 2011, 18:16
it was just the first year for Button at Mclaren. Lets see this year.
Hamilton is more spectacular and a bit faster, but Button is really good. If he finds this extra 0.3s on Saturdays, Hamilton cannot handle him in a whole race. Besides, I think interesting how no one notices how Hamilton style is aggressive for his front tyres.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th January 2011, 20:18
I would not say, that Hamilton was miles better this year. Actually when you think about Lewis being there for ages and Jenson joining in at the last minute, he did quit a good job to be right there to take those wins.
Sure, after the car got more nervous, Lewis was way ahead, especially in qualifying. Then again, Jenson has shown he can take the battle to Lewis and learn him a trick or two.
I voted for Jenson, who knows what he would have acheived without the ban in 2004 and Honda just stopping to build competative cars after that. Never expected that, I was not really impressed with him before 2009 and even more in 2010.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
16th January 2011, 12:24
Forgive my cynicism, but can I ask whether this match up was chosen or if it was a random draw?
And I voted Hamilton, as would anyone with half a brain cell
Fixy (@)
16th January 2011, 13:42
This and the previous ones too.
ed24f1 (@ed24f1)
16th January 2011, 17:25
If it was random, there would be a chance of Senna/Prost in Round 1, so I’d say there was some manual input, or at least some form of seeding system, like a tennis draw.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 18:08
I seeded them based on some statistics, and I also leaned towards pairing up drivers from similar eras who raced against each other or who were team mates with each other – hence this particular pairing.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th January 2011, 20:21
I think that makes a lot of sense. How better to compare two drivers than based (partly) on them handling the same car in the same season?
Dave Blanc
16th January 2011, 21:02
I’m with you Keith. Of all the World Champions these are naturally the easiest to compare so it makes sense to pair them up.
Oh, and If I hear one more time “Jensen was new to the team…” I’m going to scream! I don’t hear Alonso making those claims at Ferrari – it’s not a big deal. I’d also counter and say Hamilton has much less experience than Button and will be a better driver in 5 years….
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 22:12
I would say it’s not as big a deal as it used to be. But it does make a difference – for example Button’s a bit taller than Hamilton so apparently he wasn’t very comfortable in the car. Presumably that will sorted this year.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
16th January 2011, 21:17
Also it’s pretty handy to guarantee the exit of at least one British driver, given the rubbish that’s usually posted.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 22:11
I wouldn’t worry about what the nationality-fixated think. Presumably they’d see it as a heinous conspiracy on my part to ensure a British driver got through to the next round.
But I guess statistically British drivers are more likely to be paired with each other than other nationalities because there’s more of them.
Fixy (@)
16th January 2011, 12:25
The statistics aren’t fair as Button has had worse cars, but paired up Button was beaten by Hamilton. I went for the latter.
Anthony_MR (@anthony_mr)
16th January 2011, 17:15
They had the same car this year.
Cristian (@cristian)
16th January 2011, 12:05
Easy choice!
Cristian (@cristian)
16th January 2011, 12:05
Voted for Button!
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 12:22
Why? Elaborate, please!
scratt (@scratt)
16th January 2011, 13:00
If I may…
I think the choice between Hamilton and Button rests on whether you like flat out racers or those who make clever strategy choices.
12 months ago I would have voted for Hamilton hands down, and probably still will. But the choice is that much harder when I look at some of the decisions Button made this year in crucial situations.
And this is coming from someone who really had no time for Button until about 2 years ago.
bananarama (@bananarama)
16th January 2011, 13:28
I really like Button. I have liked him ever since the Williams days and I always hoped he would be successful. He is a good driver and really deserved the success. He is calm, knows what he has to do and on a good day I think he can outrace most others.
On the other hand, I have never been a big fan of Hamilton and I guess I’ll never be one, but I have to admit he is quick, takes risks (sometimes to an extent I feel like he is a bully on the circuit) and it is very entertaining to watch him drive. Also his attitude towards racing is admirable, he always wants to give 110% (even though thats sometimes just too much).
It wasn’t an easy choice for me, but I chose Hamilton.
Rocky (@rocky)
16th January 2011, 13:42
So what is it exactly don’t you like about him?
Mike
17th January 2011, 1:44
Grrr! Explain yourself fiend!
People ARE actually allowed to have opinions, even if there opinion is wrong.
For example, If I wanted to vote for Button because he actually has at least one facial hair, Then I don’t see why I can’t…
sw6569 (@sw6569)
16th January 2011, 14:11
I think thats a fair way of putting the challenge of choosing between the two drivers. I think Button this year was also hampered by two things:
First the notion that inter team battles are ‘not allowed’ at the end of a race – which is Buttons strength, that he has his tyres in a better condition and so he can push. Secondly is the tyres themselves being overly durable – if they were more marginal (not just because of the road surface as in Canada) then his driving style may result in more wins.
Button is severely underrated – he was brilliant for Williams in his opening year too and was the only person to be able to challenge Michael Schumacher in some races during the Ferrari’s’ dominant period.
Still though, its hard to rate him against Hamilton who is busy setting the world on fire with his attacking driving style, taking no prisoners. With more marginal tyres it’d be interesting to see who comes out on top between the two. Personally, I think it will be Button, which is why i’ve voted for him. Pretty even though if you ask me. Strangely, I wouldn’t have said this a year ago – he has impressed me more this year than last
sw6569 (@sw6569)
16th January 2011, 14:12
added to this, Button rarely makes mistakes. Korea was terrible though, i’d agree with that.
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 14:44
Sorry but the school of if’s doesn’t work here. The rules conditions and results are what they are. Deal with it. YOu can’t say if this if that, because that opens up the possibilities of ‘IF’ for everyone and everything… or do you just want the ‘Ifs’ to exist for your own sake of argument and no one elses?
Oliver
16th January 2011, 15:02
Well SW6569,
Button starts 9th finishes 3rd
Hamilton starts 2nd finishes 2nd.
Amazing drive by Button right?
Well if you look at it from another perspective, the car that finishes first is on another planet so no contest there.
Now if Button “manages” his tyres so the work better in the latter stages of the races, and of course gains a few positions because he obviously has a faster car than a few of the opposition.
The fact he is then running closer to the front of the pack in the final quarter of the race may just be because the leading pack have turned their engines down.
True Button has a smooth driving style, but he tends to destroy his intermediate tyres much faster than Hamilton.
Secondly, Button’s brilliant tyre choices, were not as a result of amazing mental calculus, rather they were from forced positions, he was in a bad situation and had to gamble either based on the fact his tyres were gone or he could gain time by avoiding a pit stop.
Button didn’t make any great tyre choices while running in the top 3 or 4, it was always when he was in very bad positions hence the need to take risks, same way Kobayashi has made many positions.
Granted though, Hamilton’s knife edge driving doesn’t work in all situations. And I have also come to believe Mclaren expect him to always drive on the limit, hence they make some very strange pit calls.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
16th January 2011, 15:06
If Button starts from P9 then he shouldn’t be so bad a qualifying.
Those “great races” where usually helped by a safety car period and/or several cars breaking down between P2 and P9.
The car is fast enough for P3, so it’s not that surprising that he makes up places. It’s simply a poor sign that he doesn’t start from P3 to begin with.
pking008 (@pking008)
18th January 2011, 9:56
im so sorry that people cast their votes based on sentiments of liking a particular driver as opposed to objectivity. when has it ever been right that you should curb a real racer and in place introduce regulations that allows someone who crawls to be a winner. If you ask me thats what I’d say has happenend in the last few years. the FIA discourage real racers. So now Button is apparantly better than Lewis. I dont mind people voting for Button but the reason some are giving like, oh he is likeable, humble, looks after his tires etc are all lamentable.
Aditya S (@)
16th January 2011, 14:45
Button had a lot more to think about during the races than deciding what tyres to use. He certainly did not make any decisions, it was more down to the Chief Strategist, Track Engineer and the rest of the team.
Hairs (@hairs)
17th January 2011, 1:02
The Team Principal of McLaren disagrees with you there, stating on more than one occasion during the year that Jenson went against the team’s advice and judgement with his own strategy, and got better results in consequence of that.
I find this is both a very simple choice, and a very complicated one at the same time. I think there’s no doubt that Hamilton is the quicker and more determined driver, Jenson’s comment “This guy is up with the greats of all time” at the end of the year reflects that he accepts that too. On the surface facts, Hamilton’s the winner here.
I still find myself voting for Button – because I find him a better “Champion” than Hamilton. I still maintain he did a better job in 2009 than Vettel did this year, in a car that was never as dominant as it was made out to be. He made the best of his advantages, he overcame his mistakes, he didn’t slate the team for theirs, and when under massive pressure, he buckled but didn’t break. I rate that as a much greater champion than someone who has the natural speed advantage, but has to cheat, or have their teammate play rear gunner, or have a car with a 1 second advantage over the field (pick your hated driver Schu/Alonso/Senna/Prost etc. here) to win. Button, as a driver, tends to be too complacent, too picky, too easily upset. He doesn’t force himself to go beyond his comfort zone enough, he leaves the door open at the start sometimes, leaving him making up places he shouldn’t, and he’s too likely to settle for a place lower than he should rightly do once the race goes past mid distance. But on the other hand, he never gives up – he’s massively tenacious, he just doesn’t do the outward flair of it that Hamilton does. This is a guy who stuck with F1 for 9 mostly miserable seasons, and still came into his championship year with a stunning pole and victory in the first race that made it look like this was normal affairs for him. He walked away from his championship team to one of the most pressured environments available, against all sane advice, and not only survived, but prospered, beating the pundits, the critics, and his own team-mate’s expectations in the process. He’s no less a fighter than anyone else.
The reason why I choose Button is I remember Hamilton’s face in the first 4 races of the year. I remember his face and voice in Turkey. He didn’t expect Button to be fast. He didn’t expect a challenge. He didn’t expect Button to be within a country mile of him, much less beat him, or pass him on track. And he was really at a loss about it. It messed up his mind – just like Alonso got messed up to find Hamilton and McLaren weren’t falling into place with what he expected of them.
David
16th January 2011, 12:06
With all respect,that’s insulting. Button is no match for Hamilton.
Mark
16th January 2011, 14:37
Truly is. Lewis always has a couple of tenths over Button. I remember watching a Youtube vid of them both doing some charity work or other where they both raced in a kart, separately.
Surprise, surprise Lewis got the better time.
Strategic thinking can only get you so far(and even in this area Lewis is catching up), speed will always be there and will generally always win out.
Mike
17th January 2011, 6:45
Take one look at Schumacher.
Struzak (@struzak)
16th January 2011, 12:07
Definitely Jenson Button. He knows how to deal with a non-winning car as well as how to stay cool during the final stages of a title pursuit.
Lewis came to F1, inherited a winning car and sneezed the world title with an enourmous portion of luck.
himmatsj (@himmatsj)
16th January 2011, 12:09
Aha but before sneezing the world title with an enormous* portion of luck, he lost it with an enormous* portion of luck!
David
16th January 2011, 12:14
Jenson Button knows how to deal with a non-winning car?? hahahaha
Todfod (@todfod)
16th January 2011, 14:03
That made me laugh as well. I clearly remember Jenson setting the world on fire in the Honda in 2007 and 2008.
pking008 (@pking008)
18th January 2011, 19:13
yea, thats the funniest thing ive read today, Button knowing how to deal with a non winning car. lol
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:15
I don’t get the argument of saying “Lewis jumped straight into a winning car”
So did DC, he should have been a world champion after all the years he spent in the best car. I could understand if Hamilton had done badly and lucked into a race win like Heikki.
Fact is though he beat Fernando Alonso in the same car in his rookie year.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:16
And also won in his second F1 season despite the FIA stewards doing everything they could to stop him.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 12:25
Yup, and would have had the most wins that season had the FIA decided not to gift the Spa win to massa.
Steph (@)
16th January 2011, 17:13
“And also won in his second F1 season despite the FIA stewards doing everything they could to stop him”
Hardly. The stewards were erratic with everyone at Japan and Lewis was a bit mad at the start and compromised Kimi’s race so drive through deserved. Spa 08 was a problem because it seemed like Mclaren ere told everything was fine when it wasn’t but that was again the inconsistency of the stewards but that doesn’t mean Lewis was in the right.
His win at Spa wasn’t gifted to Massa. Massa wasn’t the most stellar by a long shot but he didn’t crash out like Kimi nor did he gain an advantage like Lewis. Hamilton was unlucky (perhaps simialr in some ways to Alo at Silv this year although Alo was repeatedly told to hand the position back) but at the end of the day it was a situation caused by his mistake.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
16th January 2011, 21:23
That’s a little selective. The Fuji penalty is entirely unique in F1 history and only rivalled in its ridiculousness by the penalty on Bourdais later on.
Anyone could also see how ridiculous the Spa situation was. had Kimi finished the race, the penalty would have been deserved. But he didn’t. Mass didn’t lose a single thing from the chicane jumping and yet was awarded the win. Also, given the yo-yo nature of those few laps, you could argue that if Kimi had not crashed, being in the position he was in Hamilton would have actually finished second as Kimi might have had the final advantage, much like the old Monza races favoured the guy who was trailing on the last lap.
Tim
16th January 2011, 15:18
Ultimately, Lewis would probably have shone in his debut year whether he had a winning car or not. But he probably wouldn’t have been challenging for the world title had he made his debut for McLaren a year earlier. In that respect he was fortunate (Kovalainen’s debut for Renault went the opposite direction), but that doesn’t make his debut year any less impressive.
After all, as you point out DC started his career in a very competitive car, but reliability and sharing the seat with Mansell damaged his chances of winning a race that year (although he came close once or twice). He had little excuse in 1995, however – the Williams was clearly the best car but DC (and Hill) blew it.
Jacques Villeneuve also started his career in a winning (essentially dominant) car, but didn’t take the title until his second year.
alex
16th January 2011, 18:24
Alonso is overrated. Trust me. Canada 2007 says a lot about him. He is good, though.
Dan83 (@dan83)
16th January 2011, 19:33
They equaled on points…
David A
17th January 2011, 3:42
Such denial about the champioship ranking system…
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 12:30
Knows how to deal with a non-winning car? What exactly does that mean? Hamilton has been in F1 4 years and one once, so he has 3/1 seasons in dealing with non winning cars. Most of the time Hamilton just said, I wasn’t fast enough or the car isn’t competitive enough. Jenson always had an arm full of reasons why he didn’t get a good grid position or why he didn’t place well. It doesnt matter where you come in the sport, if your not good enough your lack of talent will quickly come to light.
As for Buttons knowing how to stay cool in the final stages of a title pursuit. HA! when he one the title in 2009 He Himself said he wasn’t dealing with the situation well. It was all but lost for his floundering. for a man who won the first 5 of 6 races I have never seen such a rediculous struggle to clinch the title. As soon as his car was not miles ahead in performance he was unable to produce any conclusive finishes.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 12:37
The famous ‘Massive Front Locking’ or the ‘Car was undriveable’.
I always think well Jenson if the car was undriveable how did you complete a lap in it?!
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 14:46
Too funny!
Patrickl (@patrickl)
16th January 2011, 15:17
I don’t think Button was driving poorly in the second half of 2009. The car just simply wasn’t up to par. The Red Bull was pretty much unbeatable from Silverstone and the McLaren en Ferrari both had gotten their double diffusers working.
So sure he was a few spots down, but he was performing pretty well. People claim he was beaten by Barrichello, but was he really? They usually finished only 1 position apart. So they were both performing tpo the abilities of the car.
Button scored 34 points and Barrichello 42. Only 8 points difference. The biggest part of that was caused in Valencia. Barrichello won that race while Button was pushed off track first by Vettel and then by Webber.
The difference between Hamilton and Button in Korea was staggering though. Hamilton was complaying of a locking front end too, but he still got the lap times in. Sure he lost a spot to Rosberg and to Alonso by locking his fronts, but still.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 16:22
It’s a good thing you mentioned Korea, Both Mclarens had locking brakes but most people only focused on Button. However, Hamilton tends to lock his brakes, frequently, left side, right side, both sides, so I guess for him it makes no difference if he does it himself or if the car does it for him:-)
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 18:06
It was apparent when he slid off the track after the second safety car restart.
Dont tell this to Alonso fans though, they’ll doggedly inform you that their man had everything to do with that.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:37
Button knows how to deal with a non-winning car.
Seriously? in 2007/2008 He got beaten by Barrichello in the Honda.
In 2009 when the Brawn wasn’t miles ahead of the field he was way off the pace and sometimes failed to make Q3.
2010 when McLaren lost pace with Red Bull Lewis was up challenging with them while Button qualified poorly.
Button has good qualities but handling a non-winning car is certainly not one of them.
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th January 2011, 13:12
I think I have to agree there, Button tends to struggle in a non-perfect car; Hamilton also gets frustrated, but blames himself for not being able to get the best out, rather than have the same reasons why the car was bad, again and again.
If both had been in a Red Bull this year, I think Button maybe could have won from Hamilton, breezing away Vettel or Button’09 like for most of it, but Hamilton would have still been at his heels or all around him on the good days, and well ahead on bad days.
It has to be Hamilton who goes through, even though Button showed this year that he is better than most, including myself, thought he’d be.
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 15:00
Very true. I think one additional thing about Hamilton, as I have said on many occasions, is he has the ability to drive the wheels of practically any car he is given. He seems to be able to drive around inherent difficulties within a car/setup and still give impressive results. Button definately does NOT have this ability, in fact, as bosyber says quite the contrary. Even a quick car with a setup not entirely to his liking will have him howling like a banshee over the raido.
Having said that, Jenson has other qualities on track which I think most of us can appreciate. I like him but unless I misread the aritcle this isn’t a personality contest, so I’m trying to leave my character preferences out of it and maintain obectivity.
It has to be Hamilton.
Skett
17th January 2011, 3:08
Completely agree here. Worryingly it makes me compare Button to Ralf Schumacher, he was terrible if he didn’t like the car but occasionally he’d like the way the car felt and would drive a blinder!
David A
16th January 2011, 15:12
Well not in 2007 of course, where Rubens didn’t even score.
But of course Hamilton wins this round.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 13:06
@Struzak, you sound like Martin Brundle, who went on about how David Coulthard was good and doing he public relations duties off track, while Kimi was constantly beating him on track.
The final stages of Buttons championship pursuit was almost a disaster, the fact BrawnGP had a very good car all season saved Button from an embarrassing end to the championship.
Hamilton drove impressively in a none winning car and consistently exceeded the perfomance ability of the car.
The championship is never won at the last race, but only lost at the last race. All races during the season contributes to winning the championship.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 14:30
@Struzak, you sound like Martin Brundle, who went on about how David Coulthard was good and doing
hehis public relations duties off track, while Kimi was constantly beating him on track.The final stages of Buttons championship pursuit was almost a disaster, the fact BrawnGP had a very good car all season saved Button from an embarrassing end to the championship.
Hamilton drove impressively in a none winning car and consistently exceeded the perfomance ability of the car.
The championship is never won at the last race, but only lost at the last race. All races during the season contributes to winning the championship.
OmarR-Pepper (@)
17th January 2011, 15:46
… of luck and a lot of marshalls’ help, such as the race when the tow put him on the track again.
But even whithout help Hamilton’s attitude for racing (agressive, even rude) is improving, and he’ll probably be a champion again, and personally I don’t think the same about Jen
deanmachine (@deanmachine)
16th January 2011, 12:07
This is hard, two of my favourite driver’s. Jenson is probably my favourite, due to his personality, but Lewis gets my vote, as he has had a much better career then Jenson has.
David
16th January 2011, 12:10
Top drivers: able to put a car where it doesn’t blong
(Alonso, Hamilton, Vettel Kubica and Kobayashi)
average drivers: Just driver the car
(Button, Kovalainen, Webber, baricello)
bad drivers: capable to underperform a car
Petrov and Schumacher :-)
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
16th January 2011, 12:27
Yeah, Kobayashi puts a car where it doesn’t belong- out in Q1 with the minnows.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Koby and think he has potential, but I think to rank him with the ‘Big 4’ is way premature and I still doubt he’s quite top drawer
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:39
Yeah, Kobayashi is hilarious to watch drive but no way is he a top top driver like those 4.
Slr (@slr)
16th January 2011, 13:01
Kobayashi only went out in Q1 a few times in 2010. He’s not that bad in qualifying.
Anyway my vote goes to Hamilton. Even though 2007 is still his best season, he has more raw pace than Button. As much as I want to vote for Button, I just can’t.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 14:34
I believe Button is closer to the Hamilton Alonso League, than the Barichello and other Whiners :-) league.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 17:07
Until he wins races regualarly, given a great car or not, I can’t put him or Rosberg with those three. Just think of Fisichella.
Lee
16th January 2011, 18:43
completely agree
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 20:01
Thanks Lee.
Sorry, I forgot to say Kobayashi as well. He definitely can’t be considered as good as Alonso, Hamilton and Vettel either.
chotazas
16th January 2011, 22:48
Agree. For me, true champion skills and speed appears when a driver has a winner car. For example, and always it´is a personal opinion, Button beated Barrichello in a winner car, and so did Hamilton with Button. Schumi did with Barri and Irvine too. Ok, team orders, etc, but they were faster. Same on Raikkonen – DC- Montoya -Massa, Alonso- Massa, Vettel -Webber, Lauda- Regazzoni, Senna- Berger it´s a long list.
katederby (@katederby)
16th January 2011, 18:33
If you want an example of a driver “putting his car where it didn’t belong”, take a look at Webber’s ’03 and ’04 performances in the donkey of a Jaguar… particularly in relation to his team mates. Far from “average”.
As for Button v. Hamilton, my vote goes to Hamilton, as you can hardly mark him down just because he’s been lucky to always be in a winning car. But Button would have had better stats in a better car.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 20:02
Sadly given a championship winning car Webber simply isn’t on Vettel’s level.
Dan83 (@dan83)
16th January 2011, 19:37
Bit harsh there David! Titling those drivers as ‘average’!! And you didn’t put Rosberg on that list, surely he at least fits into your ‘average’ pile…
Kob is not one of the top drivers btw
Dan83 (@dan83)
16th January 2011, 19:51
Agree with your comments about Webber katederby
jimscreechy (@)
17th January 2011, 9:35
I definately wouldn’t call Webber ‘Average’,I would have him at the tail end of the first pack. AND! in spite of Kobayashi’s very good performances, it’s too soon, to see if this will translate into wins when he gets a competitive car/drive, so I definately wouldn’t have him with the top dogs, though I certainly recognise his potential.
Actually I wouldn’t call Button average either, not by a long way, I would call him a good driver but not a great driver.
Craig Woollard (@craig-o)
16th January 2011, 12:10
Hamilton matched Alonso in his first season, destroyed Heikki in ’08 and ’09, and managed to beat Button last year despite more mechanical failures. He’s also averaged a 4th place in every race so far (excl. the ones where he retired).
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 12:16
On his day Lewis can beat anyone on the grid, even in a car thats equal to top competition. Button is a good driver, just not on Lewis’s class…this year’s scorecard between the two tells us all we need to know.
electrolite (@electrolite)
16th January 2011, 12:13
Oh boy. brace yourself for some debates.
Lewis Hamilton has the better record and is widely regarded as being the better driver. However I think Jenson Button was the better world champion driver. He didn’t have to be so loyal to the team he eventually won with and the Brawn year is always going to be memorable for me than Lewis’. Just my opinion. But Lewis will undoubtedly by much greater.
Ned Flanders (@ned-flanders)
16th January 2011, 12:28
Perhaps, but that sounds to me like heart overruling head
jimscreechy (@)
17th January 2011, 9:38
I con-diddly-cur.
Antranik (@antranik)
16th January 2011, 12:49
This!
mag_F1 (@mag_f1)
16th January 2011, 12:16
Hamilton is one of the best drivers so I’ve voted for him. Button is not a patch on Lewis.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
16th January 2011, 12:18
Jenson Button, purely because he was the champion no-one saw coming. Especially after two dismal years with the Honda disaster. Everyone expected Hamilton to be competitive the moment he stepped into the sport. He was, after all, the first rookie to join McLaren in twenty-five years. But nobody expected Jenson Button to come through the way he did. It’s easy to write his success off as being entirely down to the Brawn chassis, but Rubens Barrichello struggled where Button thrived, proving that Button had the edge. And in 2010, some of his daring strategy calls – tyres in Australia and China, and that setup in Italy – were Prost-like in their brilliance.
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th January 2011, 13:17
That is true – Button does have great speed and racing in him, but on off days he somehow can’t make them work for him. He did show this year that maybe Williams should have kept him on a bit longer.
But with Hamilton there have also been off days, and disappointments, but usually not of the “where has the speed and racing gone” variety.
GeeMac (@geemac)
16th January 2011, 13:33
Was it really 25 years? I thought it had been 14 years since McLaren last had a rookie when Lewis joined (the infamous Michael Andretti incident)?
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 15:15
You give it to Button because he was the champion no one saw comming? What does that mean? Does it even make sense? Your talking about historical f1 facts like they determine how a season will unforld. What does Honda’s two dismal years have to do with it anyway? When that Brawn shot off the grid on the first race of the season it was pretty clear it was head and shoulder faster than anything else on the track. My aunt Jemima could have won the championship in that car.
The fact that he nearly lost the championship is an unfortunate testiment to his racing abilities, particularly given his ONLY contender for the first half of the season was his team mate Rubens Barachello, a man has had more competive cars on the grid than anyone bar Michael Schumacher and still never one a title.
Prisoner Monkeys (@prisoner-monkeys)
17th January 2011, 0:02
Everything. Honda was an embarrassment, and they made their talented drivers look silly. If I came up to you at the end of 2007 and told you that Jenson Button would one day be World Champion, and that day would be here soon, would you have believed me, based on his performances to date? At the end of 2008, Jenson Button was at a low point. He is, after all, the only driver to have been nominated as F1 Rejects’ Reject of the Year twice, and one of those was in 2008.
The point is that you see drivers like Hamilton and Vettel and Alonso and you know that they will one day be World Champion. It’s just a matter of time. But could anybody reasonably say that about Jenson Button? When he joined the sport, he had his fans who probably would have said it straight away, but I’m talking about the everyday fans and the non-Buttoneers. I doubt that more than a few could reasonably say they felt Button had it in him to become champion, but become champion he did.
Only because Brawn ran out of money. They had one big upgrade planned for the season, which was introduced at Silverstone. It didn’t work, but they weren’t suprised, because the Brawn worked better in warm conditions. So Germany was a write-off, too. They were expecting big things in Hungary because of the climate, but that was when they finally realised something was very wrong, and they rushed to develop something better for Valencia. That was where Button made a mistake; he qualified poorly and ceded position to Vettel at the first corner while Barrichello went on to win. But Jenson Button didn’t come close to losing the championship because he was a poor driver – look at his race in Istanbul, which Ross Brawn said was a perfect drive, and he worked with Schumacher; Brawn later said he regretted not looking closer at Button during his time at Ferrari – he came close to losing because Brawn had the smallest budget and only had a limited amount of development throughout the season. By the end of 2009, both the McLaren and the Red Bull were much, much better than the Brawn, and depending on the circuit – like Spa or Monza – the Ferrari was better, too.
jimscreechy (@)
17th January 2011, 10:08
Everything? who cares if Honda’s previous cars were an embarrasment? I belive the article is a vote between JB and LW and not a historical comparison of thier careers and how they managed the situations that faced them. Your point about expecting certain drivers to become WDC is really irrelevant. I couldn’t count with a calculator the number of talented drivers I have seen in F1 come and go for lack of opportunity, a competive car, or just shoddy timing.
Even IF no one ‘did’ see it coming so what? does that mean he gets extra points? why?
You have gone into a fair amount of details about races, money, weather, even specific corners, which quite frankly doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. who cares if Brawn ran out of money and A.) passed B.) at corner six? A good driver will expect retirments, difficulties, and challenges throughout a season, factor them in to his performance and strategy, and still come out on top. Vettel, Hamilton, Alonso, all very good examples. Buttons 2009 championship was a ‘gimmie’, given the car he had at the start of the season, but as soon as his car lost the massive advantage he struggled. He openly admited this himself. I don’t care why, who, what caused the loss of Brawn performace that is what happens in F1.
Saying “the champion no one saw coming” is like paying a guy to sweep your walk, then paying him extra when your surprised he actually finished the job.
David-A (@david-a)
17th January 2011, 20:17
And you’re really using this as a reason that Button is better?
Oliver
16th January 2011, 15:23
Everyone saw it coming after the pre-season testing and after the first races. Although I believed this was about driving ability rather than poetry. Even so, Hamilton’s win was more dramatic, due to the circumstances no one saw it coming.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
16th January 2011, 15:28
“And in 2010, some of his daring strategy calls – tyres in Australia and China, and that setup in Italy – were Prost-like in their brilliance.”
Pfft that daring strategy call in Australia was caused because everyone was waiting for the weather to turn while Button had ddestroyed his intermediates and had no other choice. In the end it turned out that the weather prediction was wrong, but Button didn’t know that. That’s luck.
The setup in Monza was decided by the team. They wanted to hedge their bets. We’ll never know which was the better choice anyway.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 16:32
Well until adjustable wings of 2011, Fduct was the first time in winged F1, that a team had the option of two different setup for the race.
And the 5km/hr gained by not taking the higher downforce route, is merely walking pace. Tell me how long it takes to walk past a parked bus and how long it takes to get into the slip stream of a leading car just before the braking zone, and you will see why Mclaren missed an opportunity to run both cars with the higher downforce setup.
Mclaren though; have to take their eyes off those simulator things and infuse some brilliance and passion.
judo chop
16th January 2011, 17:53
“The setup in Monza was decided by the team”
Whitmarsh said post-race that Button’s setup was Button’s choice and wasn’t McLaren’s preference. McLaren’s failing was not bringing a Monza spec f-duct like Ferrari did.
Dan83 (@dan83)
16th January 2011, 19:57
Enough with the Jenson bashing people!
Yeah yeah you love Hamilton we get it. Anything anyone says in Button’s defence is quickly shat on.
Electrolite made a pretty good point I reckon and justified voting for Button.
Dave Blanc
16th January 2011, 21:07
Nice joke Prison Monkeys.
BellaCombs (@)
16th January 2011, 12:19
Possibly slightly biased as Hamilton makes my skin crawl, however think Jenson is a better driver, other than his grip problem!
Hamilton goes for all the drama, where Button just accepts and moves on. I think out of the two Button will have a longer, more promising career, I think Hamilton could burn out.
jimscreechy (@)
16th January 2011, 15:19
I think you have these two mixed up. Hamitons car number was 2, buttons was 1… apart from the other obvious differences I won’t bother to mention.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 16:43
:-)
Button has already done 11 seasons, moving on to his 12th. True Hamilton may burn out, but what is promising about Button’s career?
He spent his better years in the doldrums, although that paid off in the end as he won a championship, but for DD-Diffusers, 2009 might have ended not much better than 2008.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 12:23
Lewis wins this for me. This is how I see it, I swap the two drivers in their respective years of winning the championship, Jenson in a McLaren where the Ferraris were probably the top car, 2008, and Lewis in a Brawn in 2009.
I doubt that Jense would have been able to outqualify the Ferraris as Lewis did in that year(2008), or produce a drive in Silverstone and finish a minute ahead(as Lewis did), while he may still have won the championship with consistent podiums, I dont know that he’d have produced the same sublime drives.
Now, if Lewis was in a Brawn in 2009, I dont think he would have suffered the same lack of form that Jense consistently showed at the end of the season, I believe he would have overcome the car’s deficiencies and clinched the championship much earlier.
We’ve never seen Lewis in a car that is so far above the field as the Brawn was the early part of ’09 so we wouldnt know for sure, but for me, their partnership this year told me all I needed to know about their respective abilities.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 15:43
I think you have a point here.
Mclaren have never had an out and out superior car. They just had drivers who made the cars look very capable.
In 2007 many thought the Mclaren was the fastest car in the feild, all because a rookie, Hamilton, was able to set fast times in it. What they failed to realise was that Mclaren had Alonso, another above average driver. Together both drivers were able to take the Mclaren much further than most average drivers.
It is Hamilton’s ability to push the car harder, that encourages the team to make very strange pit calls, often forcing Hamilton back into the pack where he is then expected to overtake cars to get back to his previous position.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 17:26
1988, 1989 – definately out and out superior car.
In 2007, they had the best car by a tiny amount, and it was more reliable than Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari. They lost the title not due to bad driving, but the team’s implosion.
In 2008, the Ferrari was slightly faster than the Mclaren, but more fragile. Hamilton still shone enough to win the title despite all those penalties.
Wobblebottom
16th January 2011, 22:26
Totally totally correct!!
brum55
16th January 2011, 12:23
Hamilton, although this contest will be clearer at the end of next year when we see Button with a car set-up to his liking against Lewis. Still think Lewis will beat him though.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 15:34
Mclaren claimed the changed the philosophy behind the design of their 2010 car. Whitmarsh even claimed that it would be more suitable to Button’s driving style.
Dobin1000 (@dobin1000)
16th January 2011, 17:56
Although they may have changed things slightly, being familiar with Hamilton and only knowing from watching how Button’s driving style would fit with the car until he moved to the team means that the car would surely still be more suited to Hamilton.
Otherwise the team would be actively sabotaging one of their drivers while guessing that it would help the other!
I did vote for Hamilton incidentally, so I am not just being a Button fanboy.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 23:44
Driving style is basically if you like an under steering or over steering car which is the cars tendency when in a neutral setup. Every other thing is basically damper and spring settings.
Dave Blanc
16th January 2011, 21:19
Apparently when you look at the tel they have v similar driving styles so i really think this is a non-issue
tharris19
19th January 2011, 20:31
I agree, former drivers have stated that their driving style are not that different in clean air or no traffic. However when it’s time to attack Lewis is not confined to his preferred style of driving. He tends to use the car as a surgeons tool (using oversteer,understeer, trail breaking, timing his acceloration out of corners, etc) better than any driver in F1. Jenson cannot do that. He is a great driver whose major stregth is being able to take advantage of an opportunity when it arise. He is an amazingly quick thinker, but he does not have the skills to make things happen. That is the difference between him and Hamilton.
SilverArrowStefBill (@silverarrowstefbill)
16th January 2011, 12:26
This is unfair. F1Fanatic matches Farina with Schumacher, two drivers from total different worlds and now Button against Hamilton? This is a shame. Because McLaren has better and more good drivers, one of them will not continue. And Button was not in the same car with Hamilton. This was the car of Kovalainen. His car was in Brawn, which has problem Schumacher because was not his car. Some people must know more things about each drivers cars.
Leo-The-Red (@leo-the-red)
16th January 2011, 12:32
Hamilton every day. I’m not disputing Button’s ability as a driver, that’s evident, but he’s not in the same class as Lewis.
Now, it must be admitted that Button’s championship win was founded on the fact that he had an incredible car for the first half of the season where any others were struggling, but after that he didn’t lead a single lap of the season, surely this is proof enough that Button’s championship was merely down to the car.
In 2010 we saw the chance to see Lewis and Jenson in equal machinery, yes Hamilton did put more work into the car but Jenson won in China and Australia so it clearly wasn’t that much of a difference, and Button did prove that he is a very good driver finishing fifth in the championship, however he was outclassed by Hamilton for the vast majority of the season. Personally I think there is no question in this vote.
Dipak T
16th January 2011, 12:35
Ah, Button, the nearly man for so long. Nearly as good as driver X or driver Y in car Z. Effectively in 2004, the best of the rest without that Ferrari, one place ahead of Alonso, with 6 more podiums. Six.
Sure, hes not as good as Hamilton, But its a lot closer than people seem to be making out. I mean come on, people surely remember taht season. Or how he completely embarrased Villeneuve. Hes no louch or a poor driver. Hamilton shaves it, just.
GeeMac (@geemac)
16th January 2011, 14:24
The most sensible post I’ve read on this thread.
Button’s performances in 2004 (and 2005 and 2006 to an extent) were fantastic, so all of this talk of him being an average driver is complete nonsense. That said, I still voted for Lewis, but it was a VERY close thing.
jihelle (@jihelle)
16th January 2011, 12:35
Hamilton is a great driver, much faster than Button, but has made through his brief career quite a big number of driving errors and sort of got lucky in 2008. I would say that in this point in time, Hamilton is a better driver but Button is a better world chammpion and this what we’re talking about. So I voted for him.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 12:43
I always believe Lewis’s ‘errors’ were magnified unnecessarily because he was in a competitive car from the get-go as a ROOKIE and/or second-year driver.
It doesnt matter what sort of talent you are, there is a learning curve in any professional sport, and Lewis, understandably, went through some growing pains in F1.
The only major gaffes that Lewis has made would have been Fuji and Canada 2008…pretty good for a second-year guy.
I dont know that anyone on the current grade save for Fernando would have the intestinal fortitude to win a championship while unpopular among fans and his fellow drivers.
One needs only to watch China 2008 to observe the pure class of Hammy.
BBQ2
16th January 2011, 14:56
Yeah Sam, and Rosberg (Britney as some call him) did the same “mistake” in Canada 08 but not pig talks of that:(
Oliver
16th January 2011, 16:56
Canada was an unusual situation, drivers respond to red flags not red lights. I keep saying this, If Kimi didn’t inch forward at the very last moment, to get an advantage over Kubica, Hamilton would never have run into him.
When Kimi made that small move Hamilton assumed Kimi was moving away. Same reason why Rosberg rammed Hamilton.
Thank goodness that stupid system is done with.
Biancaf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 12:38
I just voted! But i would have preferred an Alonso vs Hamilton poll!hehe Jenson Button needs to sort out his quali problem to be considered a top driver. And he’s only good when the car 100% suits him. If there’s a little problem, he’s lost. That’s the difference between good or great driver, IMO.
Biancaf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 12:40
Btw, i’m new here! How do i put a profile picture? :-)
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 12:42
Go to gravatar.com. Sign up with the email you put in to F1Fanatic and then upload a picture :)
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 14:21
Welcome Bianca. This page should help you with account-related questions: F1 Fanatic FAQ
Funkyf1
16th January 2011, 12:45
@David, to class Button and Webber as average drivers shows your lack of drivers knowledge. There are different ways to drive a car, while I respect the attacking style of Hamilton, there’s no need to dimiss Jensons style. Both himself and Webber nearly completed a full GP on one set of tyres this year, that’s not average driving.
matt88 (@matt88)
16th January 2011, 12:46
no way, Hamilton is clearly better than Button. Hamilton was competitive in every season he took part (except 2009, due to the car), while Jenson won in a clearly superior car and managed his advantage in the second part of the season.
Brandz (@brandz)
16th January 2011, 13:05
even in 2009 he got good results :)
VXR
16th January 2011, 13:06
When you say “clearly superior car”, you may want to look at the actual qualifying times from even the early part of that season. There wasn’t actually much in it compared to the Red Bull, which was also a “clearly superior car” in the second half of the season.
When you say “managed his advantage”, well, he’s clearly was better at that than Hamilton was.
Dipak T
16th January 2011, 13:24
A “clearly superior car” in a field which at most for 4 tenths apart in a car which was a massive compromise and with basic development as the team had no money, as opposed to a Red Bull this year which was fter half a second clear of its nearest challenger. Hmm.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 17:10
And now they have more money, look at what they came up with. Money doesn’t necessarily equate to innovation or quality.
That aside, Brawn actually had more money than you assume. Honda left the team with enough money to pay wage bills for a year plus some change. And Hundreds of millions had already gone into designing and building the cars before Honda pulled out.
Don’t make it look like the car was a spur of the moment miracle.
robbiepblake (@driftin)
16th January 2011, 12:51
Hamilton by miles. Button’s a very good driver, no doubt, but Hamilton is just utter class.
VXR
16th January 2011, 12:57
Word is that if Button gets the tyres that Pirelli are supposed to be developing for the ‘show’, Hamilton won’t see which way he went.
I don’t rate either one as a ‘Champion of Champions’, so whichever way you vote in this one it’s not going to, or shouldn’t, make much difference to the end result.
Steph (@)
16th January 2011, 13:04
Hamilton but to be honest I think Jenson is a really good champion. This year in a car that wasn’t built for him and he didn’t even fit properly in it at the beginning he won two races with absolute class, he was magnificent at Monza and on race day he was a match for Hamilton’s pace and was incredible at Brazil to finish just behind his team mate after a dreadful qualifying. The problem with Jenson is his qualifying. In the Michelin days that used to be his strength but last year he really struggled.
At the beginning of 09 I was really critical of Jenson. Actually, I was a really annoyed moron. I was bored of him winning and the Brawn seemed like a rocket but it probably wasn’t compared to the RB6 of last year and for the majority of 2009 Red Bull were actually the quickest. Jenson did the job and deserved his title even if it wasn’t as good as Alonso’s textbook 06 campaign. He beat Rubens when he had to even when Rubens liked the car he would still make mistakes and end up behind Jenson. Noone else did as good a job as Button that year and the next year he showed on occassion he could beat a great talent like Hamilton.
All champions have ended up in the right car at the right time it could be argued; Hamilton won his title with 0 car failures, Schumi had dominant cars in 02 and 04, Vettel had an RB6 that was a second quicker at times in qualifying but at the end of the day they have to get the job done. There are so many variables. Heikki was usually closer to Lewis when the car was rubbish in 09 and when Lewis teamed up against Fernando the Spaniard hated the brakes and was getting used to the tyres but when Lewis tested on Michelin he didn’t like that as much but that isn’t against Lewis it just shows that things have to come to a driver if they’re to win and they have done for every champion and driver at some stage.
Lewis could be a mega talent but he’s nowhere near the complete package Button is. Button can think and Lewis can’t. Lewis and Jenson are similar in the race but Hamilton nails qualifying. Thinking about it actually makes this more difficult than I thought. Lewis can learn and grow though and he’s already a star so I’ve voted him but if Jenson can fix his qualifying woes then he could threaten Hamilton a lot more this year.
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th January 2011, 13:28
Very well said Steph, thanks. I had many of the same thoughts. I think ideally Hamilton will learn from Button how to think a bit more and I believe we saw him noticing how important it was early in the season, losing the race against his teammate.
Button also seemed to do better at “managing his advantage” as VXR so aptly explains in a post higher up the page. Sure Button thought he could have done that better than he did in ’09, but Hamilton seems to start overdriving under strain – he should learn to stay a bit calmer from Button.
Still, like you, I went with Hamilton because those things can be learned to some degree, while Button’s lack of finding pace on off days seems harder to repair.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 17:32
Utter farce you can’t learn how to think.
Mclaren trust that Hamilton can be on the limit all the time, hence they adopt the riskier strategy for him.
They often give Hamilton the simulator option to execute. Which is why he is hardly ever in a position to change strategy.
Eric
19th January 2011, 8:39
I think its very possible. Senna was the perfect example of a driver who learned how to think more and keep himself out of trouble. His earlier years in F1 were punctuated by races where he overdrove and cost himself. I do however get the feeling that Lewis is not going to change.
bosyber (@bosyber)
19th January 2011, 10:34
Thanks for that example. Yes, I don’t know that Hamilton will become like that, but he might get the direction.
Brandz (@brandz)
16th January 2011, 13:04
easily hamilton
VXR
16th January 2011, 13:12
I’d say “easily” Alonso compared to Massa, who, if we remember, was just as good as Hamilton in 2008.
If it were not for Timo Glock’s last lap performance in Brazil 08, we wouldn’t even be having this comparison.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 14:20
If timo had pitted for Inters as most everyone had done at that time, he wouldnt have been in that position in the first place.
Try to be objective and clear-headed.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 14:51
And if Honda didn’t get saved by Brawn Button wouldn’t have been champion.
If Alonso hadn’t have got the Renault drive he wouldn’t have been champion.
If Ayrton Senna hadn’t been born he wouldn’t have been champion.
If, buts and maybes. Fact is he won the championship. You could argue if it wasn’t for all the penalties and the Spa incident, Hamilton would have won the title much earlier than Brazil.
ed24f1 (@ed24f1)
16th January 2011, 17:33
You argue against using ifs, but then you use one by dredging up Spa 08 again…
Oliver
16th January 2011, 17:46
It was Kubica who almost caused Hamilton the championship. He almost seemed to brake test Hamilton when he was unlapped himself.
Biancaf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 13:09
How many time Mclaren has to say they don’t built car around drivers so people can’t stop with “the car wasn’t built around button” card to justify his limitation? Last year was Alonso first yeart at Ferrari and he trashed Massa.
VXR
16th January 2011, 13:14
It’s the tyres, not the car.
judo chop
16th January 2011, 18:16
@Biancaf1
Raikkonen said something similar. Basically that all this blather about drivers developing cars and designers designing cars to suit drivers is nonsense. Teams build the fastest car possible and drivers drive what they’re given.
Michael Griffin
16th January 2011, 13:18
I voted for Button, because I can, lol.
Sadly Button was never going to win this. He’s hated far more than Lewis, probably for beating Vettel in 09…
Michael Griffin
16th January 2011, 13:25
Big difference between Button’s win and every other win from the last 25 years-ish is the Brawn got hardly no development whatsoever, compared with Hamilton in 08 where every race saw new components making the car even faster.
I think a lot of haters don’t care that he won six from the first seven in 09. That’s Schumacher-esque stuff.
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th January 2011, 13:32
I do have to admit that at the end of those seven races I was hoping there would be an end to it, yes. Nothing against Button though, and didn’t expect such a clear lack of improvement from the Brawn to bring it about – if he hadn’t won so much, Vettel would have probably breezed to a boring WCC with just as many one-man/team wins, so I guess it is good he did win them after all.
jimscreechy (@)
17th January 2011, 13:38
Firstly your point is incorrect, Brawn had a truck load of developments like every other team all throughout the seasons. its just that quite often they didn’t do what was expected and sometime didn’t work at all. If your point is to ssay that he won it with a car that performed without development, it is still a bad one to make. Particularly given the brawn had such a superior performance advantage for the first seven races of the chapionship.
Biancaf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 13:27
I don’t hate Jenson Button but it does irritate me when the british media wants to compare him with Lewis. Some even have the nerves to say he’s better. Can you imagine 24 drivers like Button? nursing tyres waiting for the ones ahead to pit to make flying laps in clean air? That’s all Jenson Button is good at.
VXR
16th January 2011, 13:51
I’m sorry, but in previous seasons, didn’t drivers do exactly the same thing?
Michael Griffin
16th January 2011, 13:55
You say it like it’s a bad thing.
It’s called tactical thinking, something Button excels at, and lest we forget how Hamilton used to be awesome at destroying tyres, and now he can make them last.
Odds are that he’s learned a thing or two from Button in that department.
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:21
TBH, last seasons tyred didn’t really need ‘looking after’. Maybe this seasons Pirelli tyre will be more marginal. We can only hope.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
16th January 2011, 15:51
Button sure isn’t as exciting as Hamilton, but he really does some great overtaking.
Actually it’s how Button won the 2009 championship. Often Button and Vettel found themselves overtaken at the start by a KERS car. Button DID manage to overtake these while Vettel was not (until the pitstops).
At the end of the 2009 season Button had some problems qualifying, but he managed to gain places at the races just by applying risky overtakes when needed and keeping his nose clean when that was better.
VXR
16th January 2011, 13:43
Yeah, imagine that. Button beating Vettel. LOL
Hamilton won (but only just) his championship when his team mate performed even poorer than Massa did last season. Hardly what you’d call a ‘competetive’ team mate. So it was no surprise that all of the ‘best bits’ found their way onto Hamilton’s car. Which, if truth be told, was a far superior car to the Ferrari’s. Ferrari only won the constructors championship that season because they had too decent drivers in their car.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 18:38
The best bits probably found their way to Hamilton’s car, but only by one race not more, and for the better part of the season, the cars were on par. To the best of my knowledge, no part ever gave more than a tenth of a second in performance.
If we put Hamilton at about the same level as Alonso, then we can assume Massa is not fully at the level of Hamilton based on Massa’s results against Alonso.
We can then deduce that if Alonso is roughly 0.3 second’s faster than Massa, Hamilton is at least 0.2 seconds faster than Massa.
From this assumption, we can safely conclude that Mclaren didn’t have the faster car in 2008 because Hamilton never had that much of an advantage over the Ferraris. More oftten it was the Ferrari that was ahead.
So we can thus conclude that the Ferrari was actually much faster then the Mclaren. Heikki was driving the car at its true potential, Hamilton was taking it way beyond its potential, same way Alonso did in 2007 while at Mclare, and 2010 in a Ferrari.
Ads21 (@ads21)
16th January 2011, 13:26
How’s the next round match ups being decided? Will there be another draw or will it be Alonso vs Schumacher and Hamilton vs Brabham etc?
ukk (@ukk)
16th January 2011, 13:43
When I saw the title on the home page I thought “darn, this one will be a hard one, plus it is two of my favourites head to head”.
But then it turned one of the easiest :-)
When I think of it it is easy – Hamilton is much more of a fighter and winner than Button.
And it is not the stats – the lousy Hondas skew the stats and make them look worse for Button.
It is more than that – just look at their approach to races!
Button seems to love the underdog position – was in an impossible situation, drove well, did not win because of the inferior machinery/luck/whatever.
This is no champion mindset.
A stark contrast to Hamilton, who usually loses because he fights a bit too much and really hates when the car is not up to scratch (“The tyres had gone off, I’m heavy like a behemot and can’t even keep up with the f… Renault” – think it was Turkey 2009, while really pushing as much as possible).
More Hamiltons in F1, please :-)
SennaNmbr1 (@)
16th January 2011, 13:47
Gotta be Hamilton. He’s been a title contender in all of his seasons except 2009 and even then he won races when the car came good.
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 13:52
in a way this pair reminds me of the one at williams in the early 2000’s. When the car was perfect, ralph schumacher, was a match to montoya, but when it was flaw, montoya went much better.
So my vote goes to hamilton. Besides he is a little better than button in the wet, in qualy and in the dry.
Cristian (@cristian)
16th January 2011, 13:57
As it was clear to everybody this year, Button is better in the wet.
Katy (@katy)
16th January 2011, 15:05
Better at picking tyre strategy, yes; better at driving in the wet, debatable.
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 15:05
Really? Did you watch Korea he was awful.
His big chance to close up in the championship and he pootled around at the back and did his usual complaining about “no grip”
McGregski (@mcgregski)
17th January 2011, 8:47
I’m a massive Lewis fan but in defence of Button – he spent the last few races of 2010 testing some new brake-related stuff for 2011 so that could easily have had an effect on his driving at Korea
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 17:37
he is the best wet weather driver since schumacher. No question about it. Look at the races he won in those conditions since he started in 2007.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 20:20
Indeed, he’s won 4 already- more than anyone barring Schumacher.
Mahmoud
16th January 2011, 13:58
F1 is about racing, it is not a chess match
so, Lewis for sure
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:16
Ah. If only.
GeeMac (@geemac)
16th January 2011, 14:20
Erm…have you heard of Alain Prost? There is a reason he was called the Professor…
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:34
Well, that’s the problem here, isn’t it. Not many ‘voters’ know who Alan Prost is. LOL
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 15:06
I haven’t heard of Alan Prost.
Alain Prost I’ve heard of though.
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:24
I’ve heard of both. :)
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 17:38
but he wasn’t very good in the wet. You have to agree on that one.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 19:03
We know very well who Alain Prost is but one factor negates introducing Prost into this debate and that is the Mandatory tyre stop and reusable engines.
With a mandatory tyre stop you are allowed to abuse your tyres a bit to gain an advantage, where by it becomes easy to defend your position in the latter stages of the race. It is almost pointless preserving your tyres when your engine wont allow you make any gain from it.
Besides Button only “conserves” his tyres when he is running in traffic and lower positions, while at that same point in time, Hamilton is chasing down Webber or Vettel for first position.
JamesC1991 (@)
16th January 2011, 13:58
Hamilton wins this easily.
Has driven brilliantly in all 4 years that he has been in F1 and smashed Button this year after Canada
Button is a very lucky champion,only a quick Brawn in the first half of the season meant he won the title although giving him credit he did smash Rubens in the first 7 races of 09 and drove well in Brazil.
Overall though an average driver who moans far too much,great drivers drive round problems when the car is not perfect,Button can’t and Hamilton can.
mrhelix21 (@)
16th January 2011, 14:12
Jenson Button.
If you have a good car, you capitalize on it. 6/7 is an achievement to be proud of regardless how good the car.
Another main reason – Brazil 2009. A world champions drive if I’ve ever seen one. Superb.
To those complaining of his complaining, who was the one that called the car a “dog” as soon as the luxury of not having a competitive one arrived?
I greatly respect both drivers but Jenson wins out for me.
Those comparing this year, bear in mind Hamilton is essentially McLaren’s homechild, been with them since 14 and must have greatly put his input on the driving style of the car. What Jenson’s done is proven he a true champion by taking on a tough challenge, won races using skill and intellect and settled into a team like a slice of cheese on a tuna melt.
One more thing – he was by far the best world champion for what image he portrayed for the sport.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 14:25
I wouldnt go so far as to state that last part of your paragraph. There’s no way to quantify how Button portrayed a better ‘image’ for the sport as a champion, and it may be bordering on dangerous territory as far as what you mean by ‘image’ as compared to Hamilton.
I also wouldnt put so much stock in the McLaren being suited fully to Lewis’s style, as what happened earlier in the season with Button winning should prove otherwise. Infact Button’s season arc hit his peak early, then sloped down, if the car was suited to Lewis, it would be the other way around, as McLaren would then be trying to set-up the car to suit Button’s style more.
Manuel
16th January 2011, 14:46
Brasil 2009 was epic! qualified 14th while your teammate was on pole and then fighting with backmarkers to win the championship, really epic!
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 15:08
Hamilton started behind Button that race and finished ahead of him. A real Champions drive ;)
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:25
He was in a better car, and wasn’t under any pressure.
judo chop
16th January 2011, 18:30
“He was in a better car, and wasn’t under any pressure”
Barrichello’s pole suggest Brawn were still quicker than McL. Championship pressure’s no excuse for Button as it should’ve made himup his game even more.
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 17:40
Epic would have been winning it from pole. But what he did was good after screwing up the qualy.
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:27
Unsurprisingly, the voting is already 3 to 1 in favour of Hamilton. LOL
Who is he going to be compared with next, Jackie Stewart?
Voting on here must be a bit like asking kids who currently listen to Radio 1 to vote for the best song ever. They aren’t going to bother listening to and voting for anything other than what they’ve recently heard.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 14:29
We get it. You dislike Hamilton.
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:45
Wrong. I do not dislike Hamilton. If there was any driver that I would say that I ‘disliked’, then I would have to say that he drives a red car and isn’t Brazilian.
And unlike some, I am not a ‘hater’ either.
Hamilton is world class, but then, so is Button. But some people don’t understand why that is.
In an earlier result, Raikkonen beat Vettel by more than 2 to 1. Now that’s interesting, given that Vettel is obviously so much better. Haters and Fanboys at work?
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:52
If you don’t want this seasons champion to be a rival, who are you going to vote for in that one, I wonder?
This comparison is flawed.
Katy (@katy)
16th January 2011, 15:11
Crikey, it’s only a bit of fun during the off season! Calm down.
JamesC1991
16th January 2011, 17:43
Raikkonen is just,just better than Vettel VXR at the moment but if Vettel wins the title next year,then my vote would go to him.
@debaser91 is spot on with his comment.
I’m in no way a totally biased Raikkonen fan,others yes are totally biased and Kimi obviously is nowhere even the Top 20 of the greatest of all time and will lose in the next round.
Also other fans are totally biased especially Lewis’ ones but he wins this one hands down.
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 17:43
in my book ham dosn’t stand a chance against the great stewart. If he beats the scotish driver, the hole deal would be flaw.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 14:28
Button also has more than double the starts that Lewis has, so it would be pretty shocking if he hasnt at the moment picked up on some strategic nuances during a race.
It does NOT mean that he is more intelligent, rather that he is more experienced in race situations because he was encountered almost any occurrence imaginable.
wasiF1 (@wasif1)
16th January 2011, 14:36
That’s the biggest bombshell of round 1. Going into 2011 Mclaren have the strongest team pairing, I voted for Hamilton as he has been one of the most exciting driver to watch on the grid.Even on a bad day he have something in his bag.
Manuel
16th January 2011, 14:37
Formula 1 is about RACING and COMPETION,not who can talk a lot of PR or smile better at the camara. Lewis Hamilton brings pasion and emotion to the sport. You only need to look at him to know if he’s happy or mad. He wants to win every grand prix even if he doesn’t have the car to do so… while others are counting points they have and points they need. People don’t buy tickets to see a fashion show.I don’t waste 2 hrs to watch a car parade. For me, Lewis Hamilton is a true champion.
Let’s be honest, who do we look forward to see racing? Jenson Button? Really? or Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton?
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:46
Or none of the above?
Faraz
16th January 2011, 14:48
I will clear it up here Jenson Button is over-rated he only won in the WDC in 2009 because he had the best car with no real competition Rubens was struggling because the car was not set up properly for him. The British media are constantly giving Button praise because he is British.
The way people say he took on wet tyres at China and Melbourne its nothing special he won the races on luck.
If another driver had done it everyone would say he got lucky. Button is over-rated and arrogant.
Lewis takes this 110%!!!!!
Manuel
16th January 2011, 15:04
Spot on! He went to mclaren because he’s British, he knows he has the media back up to justify everything for him.
SamS
16th January 2011, 19:42
However, the same can be said for Vettel this year, Schuhi on a no of occassions and fro alonso in 2005 and start of 2006, yes the car is 80% of the race, but you still need the other 20% other Barrichello would be world champ god knows how many times, so would Fissi and Vettel should have been 2 times world champ, so Button is still a worthy Champ, please leave this its just the car, because it isnt
SamS
16th January 2011, 19:42
sorry spelling is shocking tonight!
Damon
16th January 2011, 14:49
“Notable teammates: Heikki Kovalainen”
LOL, Keith.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 14:59
He was Hamilton’s team mate longer than anyone else.
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:04
Would you agree that ‘some people’ voted for Raikkonen, so as not to have Vettel as a rival to Hamilton later on in the comparison?
TommyB (@tommyb89)
16th January 2011, 15:15
Raikkonen will be more of a challenge to Hamilton than Vettel. Kimi has a lot of fan boys who would vote for him as better than Ayrton Senna.
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:36
So “fan boys” are playing a part in this?
It’s all going to be down to Raikkonen ‘fan boys’ vs Hamilton ‘fan boys’ in the end. And I’m sure that the Raikkonen will easily win out.
Imagine it. The best F1 champion could be the one that Bernie Ecclestne described as being “the worst ambassador F1 ever had”. LOL
bosyber (@bosyber)
16th January 2011, 19:41
Don’t we have the “login required to vote” thing to stop fanboy flooding to some extent?
Raikkonen won from Vettel this time, and it wasn’t narrow, maybe because most people just felt he needed to prove he is an overtaker instead of leading from pole?
In other words: despite (or maybe even due to?) the hype by part of the media, Vettel still has to convince people, Raikonnen is a clear picture, not without flaws, but very fast and gutsy when motivated, so he won, for now.
Since both Hamilton and Vettel have only had a short time in F1, and no years of uncompetitive cars to deal with so far, I would hope that others who have proven more already have a higher chance of ultimately prevailing in this competition.
debaser91
16th January 2011, 15:17
No they voted for Raikkonen because they thought at this point in time he is a better champion than Vettel. Vettel has yet to prove he can overtake like a Hamilton, Alonso or a Raikkonen, and he just scraped the title in what was the quickest car in the field.
Your theory is unbelievably convoluted, why would you vote for one driver on the basis of who they might come up against in future rounds. I don’t understand your reasoning at all
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:40
“Your theory is unbelievably convoluted, why would you vote for one driver on the basis of who they might come up against in future rounds.”
If you don’t know the answer to that……
McGregski (@mcgregski)
17th January 2011, 8:56
Whilst Vettel should have annihalated the grid this season with the car being so fast, between unreliability and his reactions to negative situations he came across more of a “spoilt brat” than good World Champion!
Not to take anything from him because in the right car he is immensely quick the number of poles in 2010 speaks for itself BUT think about Webber who has never really been this close to the front and was usually only a tenth or a hundredth behind or sometimes in front of him – you have to wonder just how great the RB6 was!
They should have let Lewis have a go in it against Vettel and see the outcome
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:01
Notable for being slow.
Faraz
16th January 2011, 14:51
Notice how when in 2009 the Red Bulls and Mclarens got up to speed Button became a mid-field runner and Barrichello won races.
VXR
16th January 2011, 14:59
Yes, I noticed that. What do you make of it?
During the previous season, another driver also tried his best to throw the title away in a car that was much better than the Brawn was at that stage of the championship.
VXR
16th January 2011, 15:07
Now that was a championship won on pure luck!
Faraz (@faraz)
16th January 2011, 22:58
Well that driver was not a big complain face like Button. oooh me set-up is terrible. ooooh no grip ooooooh un-drivable blah blah blah.
Im sorry if you are saying that Button is a better racer than Hamilton then you seriously ought to consider watching another type of racing maybe Golf cart racing they all drive for greenpeace there.
JCF1 (@jcf1)
16th January 2011, 15:11
You do not design a car around a driver, you design a car to be fast. I know it sounds obvious, but some of you still don’t get it.
The setup is then adjusted to driver preference.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 20:22
Thank you mate!
Withmarsh said the car would even suit Button’s style more than Hamilton because they changed the basic design characteristics for the season. Even Hamilton said he had to change his driving style.
snowman
16th January 2011, 15:13
I think both drivers are underrated a bit. What Hamilton done in his rookie year is still unbelievable. The rookie matched Alonso and has matured and improved since and still people try to say that Alonso is the best! If they were in the same team today is it really realistic to think Alonso would come out on top when he couldn’t handle Hamilton then.
As for Button he got a load of stick after winning the championship as if he was undeserving cause of the car. How many other champs won in the best car?? He shows what kind of champion he is by going to ”Hamilton’s team” then people say he’s an idiot he’s going to be embarrassed. Give the guy a break! What an achievement if he could get the upper hand on Hamilton this season. Anyways at minute have to give it to Hamilton on his raw pace.
Richard Purdey
16th January 2011, 15:27
I have to say i have supported Jenson for the last 10 years… and was very very happy he won the WDC in 2009 despite what some people think on here…..???
Saying that i still believe hamilton is the better driver.
TheD4N1EL (@thed4n1el)
16th January 2011, 15:30
i knew you would jenson and lewis together
i dont no which one because lewis is quicker and the better driver but jenson was better overall in his championship year
so im not voting on this one
debaser91
16th January 2011, 15:55
You didnt answer the question VXR so please enlighten me. If you are voting this way I find it slightly strange as we have no say in who faces who so there is no guarantee Vettel would have faced Hamilton anyway!
You dont seem to like that Raikkonen got more votes than Vettel which is fine as its your opinion.
However people are voting based upon the merits of each individual matchup which Keith comes up with. Yes everyone has favourite drivers, but I’ve read on here people saying they don’t like a particular driver but have voted for them anyway because they thought they were stronger/better than the other driver
Marco
16th January 2011, 16:07
Bye, bye Button…:) My “invisible vote” goes for Lewis…:) He is a great driver, fast on every types of circuits with a fine abilities to overtaking… He just needs to sort out “the pressure thing”, when he is battling for the championship and the end is near… That is his one and only weakness, but unfortunately, quite important in the fight for the championship…
Btw., not very happy to see some fine drivers especially Nelson Piquet or Damon Hill being out after first round, the pairing wasn t the luckiest in some rounds…
skodarap (@skodarap)
16th January 2011, 16:09
Hamilton for me. He impressed me with consistency he had in his rookie season (best car or not, he had only few rookie mistakes and most of them at the end of the season when pressure was big). He beat 2 times world champion in the same car as a rookie – say what you will but in 95% of the cases more experienced driver will be more successful than a rookie. Later on he proved himself as a driver, especially in 2009 when with a “bad” car he had some solid performances – even though nearing the end of the season McLaren came close to the top runners.
VXR
16th January 2011, 16:15
I agree that “we” have no say in who faces who. :)
Raikkonen vs Vettel was always going to be another controversial pairing, and it’s well known that there has always been a large fan base for Raikkonen on this forum for one reason or another. LOL Bye Bye Vettel.
Can’t wait to see who Alonso gets pitched against!
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 23:03
Not so. By definition any two drivers deemed to be good enough will inevitably meet each other sooner or later…
Eggry (@eggry)
16th January 2011, 16:30
I’m sorry that this match has come so early. but it’s no-brainer to me. Hamilton is one of the best driver in the grid and I don’t evaluate Button as him.
Joey-Poey (@joey-poey)
16th January 2011, 16:34
Every other one I’ve tried to vote fairly and unbiased as to who was the better driver, not who I liked better. This time, though… I just felt bad for Button and knew he wasn’t going to win. and it’s the last one. So I went for Button.
Truth be told, though, I only feel Hamilton ekes out Button just barely. And that’s because Hamilton has a lot of potential time left to continue to prove if he’s one of the best ever. And by all that we’ve seen, he seems to have the ability to show he isn’t just an anomaly for a couple seasons. Also couple that with the fact that he matured a fair bit this year, it’s what just barely slips him ahead. Before this year, I would have said they are dead even for the fact of Hamilton’s raw pace and Button’s steady-as-she-goes cleanness and clever calls.
I know I just argued the exact opposite of what I just voted, but y’know… I played it how we’re supposed to on every other match so allow me my one indulgence :P
Malcolm (@)
16th January 2011, 17:11
Lewis has the potential to be aligned with some of the great names in the sport like Stewart or Clark, and Jenson……well Jenson I believe doesn’t fall in that catagory.
My vote….Lewis.
VXR
16th January 2011, 17:44
I’m glad you’ve recognised that Hamilton isn’t quite up there with Stewart or Clark. ;)
SamS (@sams)
16th January 2011, 17:26
Pure FAvouritism here being a brit, going for JB, he is the MAN
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 18:20
Yes, it does seem that Jensen is more popular than Lewis in his own country, despite proving to be the better pilot.
The mind wonders why….
SamS
16th January 2011, 19:45
dont you just feel that, for example, button does the interviews, does the post race on the forum, like in Spa, had been taken out, was still on the forum making jokes to the Beeb, hamilton, great racer, really like him, but he is just a little too corporate for me!
ram
16th January 2011, 17:33
% of car failures is just 2.82. Wow!
Atticus (@atticus-2)
16th January 2011, 17:35
I know it would be biased to judge based on one season only but I can’t miss the opportunity to compare them directly – just because I can for they are in the same team.
Hamilton was constanly quicker than Button in the majority of 2010. Other than that it’s quite even.
1) Button delivered those six victories out of seven in a dramatic fashion. Most of them was not a no brainer, they were tight battles it just so happened Button came out on top – he had to be constantly on the top of things. Hamilton’s 2007 was similarly constant.
2) Button has the smoothest, most gentle driving style of all which I believe is harder to achieve than the pin-point agressive ‘lock up the inside front’-style of Lewis. Hamilton does not have it – but he does compensate for it with a kind of predatory instict which I think is largely missing from Button. Even.
There’s even a thing which could nullify the 2010-form argument – which was clearly in Hamilton’s favour: we do not know yet what is Lewis Hamilton capable of in an absolutely uncompetitive car like the Benetton B201. (Let’s exclude the MP4/24.)
So I decide upon the latest form on which my vote goes to Hamilton.
Though personally I like Button more, but this has nothing to do with it. I’m a Ferrari fan anyway. :D
It was a very very tough one for me at least and I honestly would like to see both of them going through.
On a side note: I don’t feel right that Schumacher, Alonso and Clark made it into the first ‘four’ of round two while the third and fourth ‘four’ is arguably more easy to decide. Just an opinion.
judo chop
16th January 2011, 18:49
” Button has the smoothest, most gentle driving style of all which I believe is harder to achieve than the pin-point agressive ‘lock up the inside front’-style of Lewis”
This F1 not figure skating!
VXR
16th January 2011, 19:15
It’s not the BTCC either. Hamilton would do well there.
David-A (@david-a)
16th January 2011, 20:29
He’s already doing well in F1 though.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 22:27
I suppose the 2009 Mclaren wasn’t a bad car enough for you? A car the engineers where still trying to figure out, who ate my turbulence, all the way till the end of the season. A car that was 3 seconds off the leading cars at the beginning of the season.
A car Heikki was managing to get close to the top 10 on several occasions.
No, you just prefer to go back to Ben Hur and drive ox carts.
Damon
16th January 2011, 17:44
He won a race in the wet in which the car was working beautiful. Other drivers in inferior cars have won races in bad conditions. If the setup is right in those conditions then nearly every car as a chance of victory. Vettel as also been helped by being treated as the no 1 driver
VXR
16th January 2011, 18:09
Hamilton was “helped” by Kovalainen not being any ‘help’ at all. Which automatically makes him numero uno. Vettel never quite got it so easy as that.
Also. In order for your car to “work beautifully” you have to set it up to do that. You then have to drive it “beautifully” to the finishing line ahead of far superior cars.
Damon
16th January 2011, 17:49
If it wasn’t for car problems Hampton would definitely be 2x champion
VXR
16th January 2011, 17:57
“If is F1 spelt backwards”, as Murray used to say. ;)
taurus (@taurus)
16th January 2011, 17:49
Senna v Hamilton and Hill v Button would have been …funnier/fairer?
Anyway I went for Jenson, Hamilton has had opportunities to win three titles in just four seasons, and quite frankly nearly blew all of them. Jenson had one (possibly two) chance and took it.
Hamilton is maybe a tenth or two faster on raw pace, but Jenson has a more rounded racecraft in my opinion.
Manuel
16th January 2011, 18:12
Yes, in your opinion. To bad the reality says otherwise.
Damon
16th January 2011, 17:54
Vxr face it Hamilton is better than vettel. Go on YouTube and watch Hamilton vs vettel in the rain in formula 3. You will watch and learn who is the rainmaster
VXR
16th January 2011, 18:23
I have watched many drivers in F3 (and not on youtube) that were better than Hamilton in the rain, and very few of them made it to F1. Go figure.
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel)
16th January 2011, 18:48
Dear Damon:
1:Vettel made Hamilton work really hard to get that posistion. Hardest all season.
2:That was a moderately damp circuit not “wet wet” like of Korea standards last season.
3:Vettel was a ((rookie)) in 2005 just like Hamilton was in 2004 both got 5th in Formula 3 series as rookies.
4:Vettel is 2 years younger then Hamilton so it only makes sense he would have more experience.
5:Are you the same guy who is a complete Lewis fanboy on “The sun” website because you have mentioned the same subject which means absolute nothing in the F1 world. Every time you type I just want to bang my head against the keyboard hoping you will just leave.
Damon
16th January 2011, 18:02
Can someone post the vids of Hamilton vs vettel formula 3 05, to show vettel fanboy who the best driver is plz thanks.
VXR
16th January 2011, 18:33
Can’t you do that yourself?
Once again I will categorically state that I am not a Vettel fanboy. LOL
Hamilton has had the chance to win four titles out of three seasons (we won’t count 2009 in much the same way that I don’t count Button’s previous seasons in ‘poor’ cars). He has won one, and just barely did that. Five seasons and one title with McLaren will start to seem very ordinary when compared to some when we come to choose the next champion of champions. LOL
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 18:52
Four titles out of 3 seasons?? Haha wow, must live on some existential planet because I think that number is a ‘tad’ too high. One of those years was his rookie year, and were it not for an electronic malfunction, we’d be looking at a two time WDC
VXR
16th January 2011, 19:25
Yes, I got the numbers the wrong way around. ;)
And we are not looking at a two time WDC, because, as we all know, F1 cars break down from time to time. Maybe if one of his competitors had better mechanical/electronic luck in 2008 we’d be looking at a no-time WDC.
Damon
16th January 2011, 18:14
What like vettel did compared to Hamilton this year in china? Lol
xxiinophobia (@xxiinophobia)
16th January 2011, 18:27
Hamilton has to take this (just). Shame I can’t vote for both. I’ve always liked Jenson, and I think there is something to be said for the fact that he’s still in F1 after all these years.
I think in a way, Hamilton is to Senna as Button is to Prost- both great drivers, but with mentalities behind the wheel that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. Hamilton’s got incredible pace and a “never-say-die” mentality, constantly pushing for the maximum, whereas Button holds a little bit back, and his approach is more cerebral. In my mind there isn’t really much to choose between the two.
Any team would be fortunate to have either man in their outfit, and McLaren should consider themselves blessed for having both. I think Button may be slightly better in the ambassador role than Hamilton, and this nearly makes up for the deficit in his stats.
I think it would be interesting to peek into a parallel world in which their roles are reversed- Button coming in as the revered hot-shot and Hamilton having to go the journeyman’s route. I wonder how the stats would look in that situation, and how Hamilton would have handled multiple years in cars that weren’t anywhere near competitive.
Scalextric (@scalextric)
16th January 2011, 18:35
Hamilton will win this relatively easily. So I voted for Button because he was born near where I grew up. This makes me more parochial than the rest of you. Nah nah nah nah nah.
cubejam (@cubejam)
16th January 2011, 18:37
Button. Because the alternative is Hamilton. Button.
Samuel (@)
16th January 2011, 18:41
Brilliant analysis there. This is why the popular vote is overrated. In the end most go with their personal biases and feelings, and refuse to think objectively.
VXR
16th January 2011, 19:26
You got that right!
Ral (@)
16th January 2011, 18:47
Heh, I voted Jenson only because I think he doesn’t deserve to be quite so completely thrashed as he inevitably will be. But of the two, Hamilton definitely deserves to go through.
Cyclops_PL (@cyclops_pl)
16th January 2011, 18:48
I like Jenson more, I rate Lewis higher as a driver. Simple as that.
spree
16th January 2011, 19:05
To all the people going on about Button being better when there are marginal tyres…who won in Canada this year? Button great driver…but not close to Hamilton. Besides imagine how boring some of the races would have been if not for his “overdriving” instead of “staying calm.”
Damon
16th January 2011, 19:06
So what is your excuses for vettel in china this year? Hamilton completely outclassed vettel in an inferior car!!
AlonsoWDC (@alonsowdc)
16th January 2011, 19:10
Not even close. I rate Button just fine, but he’s one of the weaker champions to date.
Hamilton’s title wasn’t impressive, it must be said. He barely had enough points to cover his numerous errors and those of Massa.
But Hamilton has shown more than enough strength in 2007, 2009, and 2010 to prove that he will always be a threat with McLaren for any given WDC or race win.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
16th January 2011, 19:18
So easily Hamilton it hurts.
Let’s put aside the easy comparison: Lewis was a competitor for the world championship straight away against both Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen. I don’t care how good the car was, it wasn’t an RB6. Hamilton also couldn’t rely on his rivals repeatedly falling over themselves to preserve a dwindling lead; it was a two-year fight from Melbourne 2007 to Interlagos 2008.
The fact is we have the 2010 season for a direct comparison and it was very telling. By results, Hamilton beat Jenson 12-7. That’s a 63% success rate. If you take into account only the races in which both finished, it’s 10-3 – or 76%. If you factor back in those races in which one retired but consider their relative track positions when one or the other retired, it’s a whopping 15-4 and 16-3 when you take into account Hamilon’s gearbox gremlins in Suzuka. That means Hamilton had better pace than Button 84% of the time. Truly astounding dominance against someone who is a world champion and 9-times race-winner.
VXR
16th January 2011, 19:47
And yet no one who’s anyone in F1 circles seems to think that Hamilton dominated Button at all. It’s amazing what you can get figures to say if you look at them the way you want. But that’s lies, damn lies and statistics for you. :)
Gilles Villeneuve was always way better than any of his team mates, and probably the most gifted and bravest F1 driver ever, and yet he doesn’t even get a look in here. But that’s because we are trying to figure out who is the champion of champions. Hamilton just scrapes into that criterion, but doesn’t come close to getting into Villeneuve’s.
There would be much stiffer competition if the criterion didn’t include having to be a champion.
Icthyes (@icthyes)
16th January 2011, 21:12
And I guess if the hidden figures showed Button was on a par with Hamilton, you’d be using that as evidence of the fact?
Funny how statistics are lies when someone doesn’t like them.
Damon
16th January 2011, 19:27
At silver arrow. The track was wet when Hamilton showed vettel who is the rainmaster in f3. As for the experience baloney, Hamilton beat the supposedly greatest driver in f1 in his first season. So when Hamilton beats vettel when he’s 30 are you going to come out with the ******** excuse that he’s 2 yrs older? You guys make me chuckle lol
VXR
16th January 2011, 20:11
Alonso can only dream of being the “greatest driver” in F1. Let’s not get “Champion of Champions” mixed up with “greatest driver”.
And maybe when Hamilton’s 30, he won’t be worrying about the likes of Vettel any more. There’ll be a new kid on the block by then.
Maybe he’ll be less successful at 30 than Button will be? Who knows, he may not even be in F1 then.
I also seem to remember Hamilton throwing away a few points in Korea due to his ‘superior wet weather driving’, whilst Vettel pushed on and set fastest lap after fastest lap until his motor let go. Alonso ‘lucked in’ again, Hamilton misses golden opportunity again. Button has a bad one, but they all had them, didn’t they.
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel)
16th January 2011, 20:25
lol when you drive in a single seater series longer then a rookie it will give you an advantage in experience, thats simple logic mate. Vettel has already beaten records set by Lewis in F1 and people like you who foam at the mouth because of that, really makes me laugh.
Hamilton showed nothing on that (damp) track in F3 with vettel apart from showing he struggles against a rookie who showed equal skill to him.
Remember Brazil 08 when vettel overtook Lewis in a Toro Rosso in the same kind of conditions? so who is the rainmaster if we go by your logic with one overtake in the damp?
Btw learn how to reply by using the reply button underneath this sentance since it just looks like your just talking to yourself all the time.
Oliver
16th January 2011, 22:49
Vettel had a full season of testing F1 cars at race venues, he also had a race in F1 So he pretty much had F1 experience.
Drarckula (@drarckula)
16th January 2011, 19:32
i’d like to remind some people that this is a champion of champions poll, so not mean that it should be basing it all on the year that they achually won… but something to think about with their championship year respectively instead of there performing in earlier years
nickthegeek
16th January 2011, 19:33
While you could say this about any situation, its funny how fickle we all are by basing this year on stats. It would of only taken a few little chance situations to of played out differently this year (vettle hitting button at spa, monaco radiator guard issue) and button would of beaten hamilton in this years standings. All I wonder is if the ratio on this poll would of been quite the same has that happened. To be fair its a reasonable suggestion to make too as I dont really remember button DNFing of his own accord anything like as much as lewis last season. Its all just me jabbering but you get me point, it wasn’t a trashing and its only luck lewis finished ahead really. You could argue he lost lots of points DNF’ing but then keeping the car on the track is all part of the skill, its a marathon not a sprint.
rodrictf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 19:52
You seem to forget that Lewis had 2 DNFs due to failure and lost a position for the same cause in Japan.
Damon
16th January 2011, 19:35
At icthyes, quality calculating. Hamilton is hands downs the better driver in a season which most people thought would be poor for him, due to his supposed lack of tyre management which failed to raise it’s head proving all the critics wrong yet again. Just Imagine if f1 went back to it’s pre let’s drive economical days. Lewis would be able to drive flat out and I wouldnt be suprised if it was a complete whitewash with him and jenson
kowalsky (@)
16th January 2011, 20:15
don’t forget the bridgestones were bulletproof in 2010. Let’s see how next year ends up. I think it’s going to be a little closer.
BasCB (@bascb)
16th January 2011, 20:29
It might be interesting, with Pirelli counting on seeing 2 stop strategies work out quite fine at most venues it might bring Jenson some opportunities to make the best of his smouther style.
And Hamilton might be able to get a lot of time out of a few laps on the softest tyres.
I am looking forward to seeing different things work again.
Icemangrins
16th January 2011, 19:38
big daddy says, Lewis is the best !!
Damon
16th January 2011, 19:40
Who finished 2nd in the standings then dan? Lol
Lee Harrison (@lee-harrison)
16th January 2011, 19:43
Shall let my heart rule my head on this one and vote Jenson, even though he’s clearly lost lol. Saying that, I do think he’s a lot better than people give him credit for, and F1 is not about being the fastest driver. Guess it’s popular not to like him though since he “lucked” into a World Championship.
infy (@infy)
16th January 2011, 19:43
Man thats a really easy one for Lewis. A bit too easy… hmm
Nat Turner
16th January 2011, 19:58
Both drivers are top notch. If I needed a racer to win the last race of the season someone that will drive at the limit and push the entire race it would be Lewis. If I need someone that will be more analytical of things then Button.
Lewis’ weakness is he does not know how to drive well at 9/10ths. JB needs a car that matches his style. Lewis is a more complete package just because he is faster and unrelenting better judgement will be learned.
Calumski
16th January 2011, 20:21
Lewis wanted Jenson to come to Mclaren…you know why? because Jenson seems like a nice bloke who has a unique driving style..but at the end of the day Lewis KNOWS HE IS BETTER!…:D Sorry if the mp4-26 is competative this year we will see Lewis rip these tracks apart you watch ;) and JonesyUK Hamilton got accused of kicking another pupil WRONGLY and got expelled from his school which would have ended his career..His dad took it to the prime minster to get it sorted :D thankgod he did.
Hairs (@hairs)
16th January 2011, 22:37
Well that tale truly puts the “unprecedented gilded path into F1” doubters of Hamilton’s to shame, doesn’t it? When he was a schoolkid, he had the Prime Minister on his side, fixing things in his favour.
Let nobody say that Hamilton had an easier time of it than any of his contemporaries ever again.
Keith Collantine (@keithcollantine)
16th January 2011, 22:45
According to his official biography his family wrote letters to their MP, the education secretary and the prime minister but they “were of no help”.
The matter in question was that Hamilton had been accused of kicking another pupil but it later turned out to be someone else.
So it hasn’t really got anything to do with his racing career, has it?
Calumski
16th January 2011, 20:28
Honestly If you owned an F1 team with the best car on the grid who would choose Jenson Button over Lewis Hamilton to take it to glory? :D LOL
rodrictf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 20:40
I bet Martin Brundle has made a lot of accounts so he can for Jenson Button :-)
bpacman (@bpacman)
16th January 2011, 20:45
I had to vote for Hamilton. Ever since his first lap in Melbourne in 2007, he’s been absolutely on the pace, getting the maximum out of his car. To arrive at McLaren as a rookie up against the reigning double-world champion Fernando Alonso and then to match him immediately from the offset is no mean feat and showed instantly that he had ability of the highest level. To challenge for the world title in his rookie season, win it the year after, outscore any other driver in the second-half of 2009 in a poor McLaren and then challenge for the 2010 title in a car that only took 2 pole positions says it all. If you need further proof, just remember – since Hamilton entered the sport in 2007, he has scored more points than any other driver.
Button is also an excellent driver and, in fact, has impressed me more this season then he did in 2009. For McLaren to finally have a driver who has the ability to win races and score good points for the team is fantastic after two years of having the likeable but average Kovalainen fighting for 6th places.
Nevertheless, to me it is obvious who is the better driver – Hamilton is quicker in qualifying, vastly superior at overtaking and can drive around a badly set-up car better.
Damon
16th January 2011, 21:03
I can’t reply as im on iPhone. So what’s your excuse for Hamilton beating alonso in his first season? As for brazil 08, thats an unfair comparison as vettels tyres were in much better condition. A better comparison is this year at china when they both stopped at the same time. Lewis yet again outclassed him, thankyou come again
David A
17th January 2011, 4:16
Haha! It’s better on a Blackberry!
Pedal to the Vettel (@pedal-to-the-vettel)
17th January 2011, 23:37
Keith look at the other comments Damon has posted and tell me he isn’t acting like a complete WUM. The reason why my post looks “in your face” is because the guy can only start one comment at a time and every time he types he is bashing every other driver who is equal skill to Lewis.
Face it Damon, lap 66 at Brazil 08 vettel and Lewis pitted at the same time for inter’s before it started to really rain on lap 69, which vettel overtakes him. So (if by your logic) Damon, vettel must be a better driver in the wet then Lewis since vettel was in a Toro Rosso.
You got it wrong Damon deal with it.
The Ram (@the-ram)
18th January 2011, 1:54
Uh.. Kubica unlapped himself putting Lewis off the line.. please watch the race again sir. Vettel only took advantage, it wasn’t a true attacking overtake.
Damon
16th January 2011, 21:19
The fact is that Lewis as never been beaten by a teamate. The same cannot be said for senna, Prost, schumi and alonso
JCF1 (@jcf1)
16th January 2011, 21:48
128 people missed the Hamilton option by 5 pixels
DJPastey (@)
16th January 2011, 21:53
Hamilton hands down. He beat a two time world champion team mate at his peak, in his rookie year!!! He out-qualified Button 13-5 (or 14-4, can’t remember) last year. Button’s a good driver but, personally, I think Hamilton is the fastest and most entertaining driver on the grid, and destined to become one of the all time greats.
VXR
17th January 2011, 8:25
So you agree that he isn’t already an “all time great” ? ;)
The final result should be interesting.
There’s no doubt that Hamilton had slightly better raw pace, but was that down to car, tyres or driver?
This season should give us the real answer.
DJPastey (@)
17th January 2011, 9:11
Cheeky! By “all time great”, I’m thinking top 5 of all time – Fangio, Clark, Prost, Senna, Stewart, or maybe Schumacher. No current driver (except the latter, and I’m not even sure about that) classifies yet, not Alonso, not Hamilton, and definitely not Button.
If Button beats Hamilton this season, I’ll happily eat my words – but I really don’t see that happening…
Damon
16th January 2011, 21:55
Hear hear
JUGNU (@jugnu)
16th January 2011, 22:02
I like Button and was very happy for him in 2009. Partly because he deserved a car like Brawn after terrible previous 2 seasons with Honda. But Hamilton is a tough competition.
Button’s two wins of 2010 were due to pure luck and some clever strategy. Hamilton didn’t enjoy similar luck(and reliability) and his 3 wins reflect pure performance and very little luck.
Also unlike Hamilton who was the best driver at many races of 2010, Button wasn’t the best driver at any race of 2010. Okay If he had won at Monza than yes i would say he was better than all others at that race.
Same case in qualifying. Hamilton outqualified Button at majority of the races and sometimes the gap between the two were around half a second. And Hamilton is more exiting to watch, very combative, take risks, better at overtaking…etc etc
So i vote for Hamilton. Hamilton is the faster driver and arguably the best current F1 driver. Button is not in the same league as drivers like Hamilton and Alonso IMO but is a very good driver. I supported him in 2009 for the championship but Lewis is just better.
Dougie (@f1droid)
16th January 2011, 22:04
I based this on a comparison of their championship years, as it seems the only fair way. This year is not a fair comparison as JB arrived late into a team built around LH. Their careers are incomparable also, with JB doing it old skool, and LH arriving with a McLaren silver spoon.
So, LH backed into a title on the last corner after a year long fight with… ahem… Massa, oh dear. Whereas JB, against the Red Bull of Vettel & Webber which was easily fastest for 80% of the season, took commanding victories in 6 of 7 (2, maybe 3, he had the fastest car) of the first races then stroked it home when the Brawn was outclassed completely, taking the championship in style one race before season end.
Faraz (@faraz)
16th January 2011, 23:09
Sorry but Button only won those races in 09 because he had the best car with no real competition notice when the the car was set up better for Rubens he consistently out-qualified Button.
Also when the Red Bulls and Mclarens got up to speed Button became a mid-fielder. One more race in 09 and the title would have slipped -from him.He is over over-rated.
Dougie (@f1droid)
17th January 2011, 1:38
Read my post, your points are already covered. As for “one more race he would have lost it”, there wasn’t, he wouldn’t and he didn’t, what nonsense.
Malcolm
16th January 2011, 23:03
Hey VXR…….give him time.
Faraz (@faraz)
16th January 2011, 23:05
Lewis and Fernando are the best two drivers on the grid Mark is there to though he is sort of past it.
Jenson does not deserve half the praise he gets how many times do you see him over-take someone?? He only won races in 2010 because he took on wet tyres before others leap-frogging the 3-4 cars other wise he was in no position to win the races.
He gets a lot of hype because he is British if Fernando was british people would forget all his mistakes and treat him like an angel instead of hating him.
F1 Could do without Biased.
Paper Tiger
17th January 2011, 7:44
“if Fernando was british people would forget all his mistakes and treat him like an angel instead of hating him.”
Well they don’t treat Button or Hamilton like that, so there’s no reason why they would for Alonso.
rodrictf1 (@)
16th January 2011, 23:37
If someone want to know why i vote for Lewis, only watch those races:
Indianapolis 2007
Silverstone 2008
Singapore 2009
Canada 2010
Every year he gives us a top-class driving. What more can you ask a driver to do for his fans?
Can we say the same about Jenson button?
All the talks about Jenson is a better ambasador and blah blah blah… I dare someone to make a poll all over the world (except UK) to see who people would choose. I’m not British and as an outsider, i do notice Lewis is more respect and rate outside than in his own country. Maybe if he invites the british press for a free meal like Jenson does, they will give him some credit too.
Samuel (@)
17th January 2011, 1:11
Exactly, so strange that it appears that Lewis is less popular in his own country than Jenson is, even though he is the more entertaining driver by far. Jense knows how to play the media game, and has mastered the art of positive press, Lewis doesnt need to because he knows, ‘nice guys finish last’. Around the world, most would pick Hammy over Button.
Alex Bkk
16th January 2011, 23:56
When I think of Hamilton I think of some really brilliant moves and some really silly mistakes. I think that the former and the latter are the result of the same reason… He’s not afraid to take chances on the track.
Was never a big Lewis fan but I’ve really grown to appreciate his driving style. He simply puts his foot to the pedal and goes.
Nic Morley (@robocat)
17th January 2011, 0:29
I voted for Button. I like him way better as a person and a driver then Hamilton. Hamilton just really bugs me, who I think it a tad over rated.
There both champions obviously, but Hamiltn won his out of luck; right at the final corner. Where as Button kept his cool through the entire season of 2009; some say he was lucky because he was in such a good car. Well so was Hamilton in 2007 and 2008, only differnce is he couldn’t and still doesn’t keep his cool.
Button may not be as fast at Hamilton but I still see Button as a better world champion. None of them are my favorite drivers, but quite clearly you can understand who my vote goes too.
Charlie whiting
17th January 2011, 4:08
What a Bogus and biased vote what a disgrace.
Nic Morley (@robocat)
17th January 2011, 5:47
I hope your not refering to me. Biased, I don’t think so, as I said NONE of them are any where near my favourite drivers. I’m not choosing my voting of who is faster, but who I personally thought was was better in there championship year.
RandomChimp (@randomchimp)
17th January 2011, 7:30
Everyone’s vote is biased. Its, errm, a vote.
KR07 (@)
17th January 2011, 2:29
I would have to say Lewis.
He makes the car work for him even when it’s not a great car.
Sure Jenson is faster than anyone when he gets the set up wrong but doesn’t seem to do it as often as Lewis.
Plus while some may think it’s a fault I like that Lewis pushes to the end like when he crashed in Monza 2009.
Jraybay-HamiltonMclarenfan
17th January 2011, 4:06
It’s Lewis Hands down :D
graigchq (@graigchq)
17th January 2011, 5:19
i don’t think it’s as straightforward as you lot put it. Had Hamilton spent EIGHT years in the sport before being given a competitive car, do you think he’d get the same treatment by you lot?? I voted Button, not just because i’m a fan and a fellow west country boy, but because overall, i think his wins in the face of adversity deserve more credit than Hamilton’s.
pseudohendrix (@pseudohendrix)
17th January 2011, 7:08
Pretty easy one. I just ask myself ‘who do I see winning the championship at least one more time?’ and with Hamilton it’s a definite ‘yes’ and with Button it’s ‘mmmm maybe…in the right car…right conditions…mumble mumble…’
Scary Terry (@hatebreeder)
17th January 2011, 8:36
you know wat would make an awesome champion of champion vote?
Lewis Hamilton vs Fernando Alonso! :D
Pretty sure that will lead to a new Highest comments record! :D
Paul F
17th January 2011, 8:38
Rather than basing it one which is your favourite driver, which driver you felt won “in the face of adversity”, the fact that one of them is a “west country boy” or other meaningless features, to answer this question I asked myself:
Could Jenson have won the championship in the McLaren in 2008?
Could Lewis have won the championship in the Brawn in 2009?
Easy question.
It also helps to look at which out of the two were hands down better in equal machinery this year.
VXR
17th January 2011, 8:53
A more objective view of Button vs Hamilton by someone who knows much better than any of us.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88951
Dave Blanc
17th January 2011, 9:08
Brundle isn’t impartial though. He is mates with Button and gets lifts to/from the circuit in Button’s private jet so it’s in his interest to suck up to him. That’s not being “objective”.
David
17th January 2011, 9:46
Brundle? Objective? hahaha!!! Thanks for the laugh! Have a nice day.
Oliver
17th January 2011, 10:01
Brundle!!! You should hear the kind of stuff he used to say about Coulthard, while he was his manager. You will think Coulthard was Schumachers equivalent.
Damon
17th January 2011, 9:11
If Martin brundle is right which I highly doubt it, that jenson is much closer to lewis this year and we have some close wheel to wheel racing, I know where my money is going and it sure aint going to be on button
smifaye (@)
17th January 2011, 10:05
This is a somewhat silly comparison.
Because a lot of people will judge the fact that Hamilton came into F1 and was challenging for the title from the off, compare this to Button who was in some terrible cars over the years and his 2004 is often overlooked, who says he wouldn’t have done the same if he was given the same opportunity as Hamilton.
Lewis won in a fast car, as did Jenson, and I value both their championship winning seasons equally.
A lot of the times its hard to judge drivers on their whole careers, and the only time you can really judge is when they are in the same equipment.
We saw that Hamilton just pipped Button this year. However saying all that, I will contradict myself and vote for Jenson, just because I like him more!
p.s. Don’t shoot me Jenson haters, I know you’re out there
Sasquatsch (@sasquatsch)
17th January 2011, 10:44
Lewis Hamilton, because he is the faster driver (in the same car) as we saw in 2010.
Although Button won a couple of races on strategy, Lewis is a pure racer, always on (and sometimes over) the limit.
Marco
17th January 2011, 12:23
I am a big fan of both drivers but once again I need to focus on the highlight reel. For Hamilton the Japanese 2007 and the British 2008 GPs were for me his most impressive. While his more illustrious compatriots were making mistakes, Lewis was the class of the field.
For Jenson he has had some stellar drives but none lift him up in my mind to give me the feeling of ethereal qualities. There is no doubt that some of his drives for Honda through 2004 and the first half of 2009 were fantastic but as a pure talent that rises above and inspires the mind I am afraid we are lacking.
For this reason and this reason alone, it has to be Lewis.
topdowntoedown (@topdowntoedown)
17th January 2011, 14:06
Who would I prefer to race against in a kart and then have a few beers with? Button.
Who will history remember as the greater driver? Hamilton.
That said, it’s two full years since Hamilton won his title and if he doesn’t win another one soon his whinging may become irritating.
Bigbadderboom (@bigbadderboom)
17th January 2011, 17:03
True, I really liked Lewis but there is something that is becoming slightly irritating about him. I’ve always been a Jenson fan, especially his style. But it’s not a who’s the nicest guy competition so just for pure pace my vote was cast firmly in Lewis’s corner.
JohnGreen (@)
17th January 2011, 18:01
Phew…
JB like you but like Lewis just that little bit extra
verstappen (@verstappen)
17th January 2011, 20:05
(I had a little backlog here, no votes from iPhone.)
After some deliberation, I voted for Hamilton. Although Jenson’s drives sometimes were very champion-of-champion, in the end Hamilton stands out as the best of the two.
Maybe we’re all wrong and maybe it really comes down to the tyres for Button (and Massa and Schumacher). But for now Hamilton beats Button in the same car and that’s what made my choice definitive.
However, Button drove fantastic:
– in Hockeheim (2004?), one handed on the straits to get some air
– in Brazil (2009)
– this year in Australia
to mention a few. So yes, it was a harder choice then at first glance.
Newborn14
17th January 2011, 20:36
BUTTON…Clearly a more deserving champion worked harder for it. knows when to push and how hard to push at crucial moments including when to risk his car and when not too. Being a team player. He doesnt have just pure pace he has skill. Anyone can drive fast untill there car gives up or they over do it and crash or hit someone. Alonso can drive like this Hill could drive like this Mika could drive like this. hammy has great pace aggression fun to watch but that is all he has. Sorry hammy fans if he was so great he wouldnt have crashed into so many peeps this season and woulda won world championship cant handle pressure me thinks^^] …vettel shouldnt have won tbh was dissapointed by this. :-(
The Ram (@the-ram)
18th January 2011, 1:53
I will not stand back and allow a stoic driver like Jenson to win out over a true racer such as Hamilton!
gak67 (@gak67)
18th January 2011, 3:32
I’m gonna have my 2c worth too, and I can’t be bothered reading all of the other comments, so if this has already been said, I apologise.
I voted for Hamilton because, to me, he is the better natural driver. He knows how to get speed out of a car, but he’s also still young and sometimes a little reckless (so therefore not wreck-less – sorry for the bad pun).
That doesn’t mean I think Button is slow or a bad driver. Towards the end of 2009 it was only Button and Koyashi who seemed to be able to pass anybody else on the track. Commentators and fans often comment of his smoothness behind the wheel. Yes he has had some good equipment under him the last couple of years, but he has outperformed his team mate every year since 2002, except 2008 (Barrichello) and 2010 (Hamilton).
Being a Kiwi, I am a huge McLaren fan, so I am hoping for a Hamilton title in 2011, but if he finishes second to his team mate I wont be disappointed.
Damon
18th January 2011, 7:17
I’m not bashing other drivers at all, If anything it’s you guys who try and bash Hamilton. Hamilton beat vettel in china when they were similar in performance in the race, that was due to his driving skills. Hamilton is easily the best overtaker in f1 even though you guys won’t admit it. He is lightning fast and probably the best defensive driver on the grid. He beat the so called greatest driver in f1 at the time fernando alonso in his first season, now I don’t know about you but I think that is astonishing. As for vettel he struggled to beat mark webber lol who could be champion in destruction derby, he had by far the best car of the year and was pretty fortunate to come away with the title. If Hamilton was in the same car he would have sewn it up much much earlier
tharris19
18th January 2011, 16:12
I think we can review all the statistics and draw some conclusions but it comes down to who we like as a driver. It is easy to appreciate all the drivers exceptional drivers in this series of comparisons, but we cannot trully compare them to each other without having everyone racing in a spec car. That is the only way true driving skill and speed can be evaluated.