Button Targeted by Ferrari

Former Formula One champion Jenson Button is being targeted by Ferrari as the perfect partner for double world champion Fernando Alonso.

The harmony within the McLaren squad was disrupted at the Canadian Grand Prix despite Button's incredible victory in the rain.

Fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton looked to overtake his team-mate and ended up striking the wall and a pit board.

And the Scuderia are now reported to be lining up a move for the 2009 champion.

"There has been a lot of talk within Ferrari about getting Button. They have already checked to see if he would be available," a Ferrari source told the News of the World.

"The team realise they need a stronger partner for Fernando Alonso than Felipe Massa if they want to win the title again.

"They've seen Jenson prove at McLaren that he can consistently win or get on to the podium."

Button, 31, had not won a grand prix for over a year before coming from the back of the grid to triumph in the Montreal marathon.

However Brazilian Massa, who came within a whisker of beating Hamilton to the 2008 title, has not been the same racer since a horrific injury at the Hungarian GP in 2009 - and Button is known for his consistency and ability to drive in any conditions and preserve tyres.

Button stands second in the drivers' championship, 60 points behind Sebastian Vettel who he overtook on the final lap to win in Canada. Hamilton is fourth and Alonso fifth.

His three-year, £18 million deal with McLaren finishes at the end of next season - at the same time as Massa's Ferrari contract. The News of the World claims that he would pick up a cool £30m for three years in Italy.

Hamilton is rumoured to be considering Red Bull and Mercedes for 2013, which would leave Button as the undisputed lead driver.

Alonso is the focus of Ferrari's operation, but the incorporation of a relaxed personality such as Button would enable them to race one another without back-biting.

The Spaniard's time at McLaren alongside Hamilton saw the duo engaged in a year-long feud.

Three years ago, with Honda's time in F1 coming to an end - and before Ross Brawn took over the team and led it to drivers' and teams' titles - Button was unable to even get a test drive with the Prancing Horse.

Source - http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/19062011/58/button-targeted-ferrari.html

What an interesting development. Mclaren need to get their act together or they could lose both drivers.

Thoughts?

I wonder what would happen if Jenson joined Ferrari and Felipe joined Mclaren. It would be very interesting to hear what Felipe would say about his time at Ferrari, especially his relationship with Alonso

Indeed ^^^ bet he could tell us a thing or two about their arrangement.

I thought Lewis had denied goign to RB??

Cant see Jenson driving for Ferrari. Just doesnt fit for me.

It could possibly happen, can't see button and hamilton having the same working relationship after canada,

"Alonso is the focus of Ferrari's operation, but the incorporation of a relaxed personality such as Button would enable them to race one another without back-biting."

Why is it that people assume that because Button is laid back that he will roll over for his team mate, I can assure you that Button would fight an awful lot harder than Massa

Yeah i bet he would. Massa needs to hang up his helmet to be honest, he's lost that killer instinct a racer should have. But then, maybe its cos he's at Ferrari, if he was anywhere else maybe he'd be a different driver completely.

Still cant see Button going to Ferrari though, nah wont happen (i'll eat my hat if it does).

Critical_mass wrote:Yeah i bet he would. Massa needs to hang up his helmet to be honest, he's lost that killer instinct a racer should have. But then, maybe its cos he's at Ferrari, if he was anywhere else maybe he'd be a different driver completely.

Still cant see Button going to Ferrari though, nah wont happen (i'll eat my hat if it does).

Hold you to it

daraghj82 wrote:

It could possibly happen, can't see button and hamilton having the same working relationship after canada,

Indeed, Hamilton now knows that Jenson can be ruthless on track. It would be very interesting to see what happens when both of them are racing in close quarters

Fatantonio - you just need to buy the hat lol

Yes that would be very interesting. Button's not as straight as he wants you to think he is. I reckon he could be underhanded when he wants to be.

Critical_mass wrote:Indeed ^^^ bet he could tell us a thing or two about their arrangement.

I thought Lewis had denied goign to RB??

Cant see Jenson driving for Ferrari. Just doesnt fit for me.

I do not believe Hamilton would go to Red Bull. The way I see it, he could join Mercedes (when Schumi retires) or Ferrari (Alonso permitting of course).

I would like to see him join the Renault team. The car has got some pace, just needs the right drivers. Hamilton and Kubica in the Renault would be phenomenal

According to Andrew Benson, both Button and McLaren are more than happy to take the option to extend his contract...albeit with some reneged terms, following Jenson's improved performances.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/formula_one/13839176.stm

The talks with Ferrari were apparently just exploratory and given that the McLaren car is equal to, if not slightly better than, the Ferrari, I can't see any benefit in JB moving teams. Especially considering he'd have to put up with You Know Who as his team mate.

If anything Hamilton could be the one to move. His impromptu chat with Red Bull took Horner by surprise (allegedly) but out of the McLaren drivers, its clear he's the unhappy bunny.

Its also rumoured Nico Rosberg is angling for a move from Mercedes. The pair of them could end up fighting for Webber's seat...

Now i can see Rosberg at RB. Cant see Hamilton goign to Ferrari at all, esp with his best mate there.

JB needs to perform more like he did in Monaco and Canada (albeit the safety car worked out for him in both races) before id consider allowing his contract to be bulked out.

Belgarion of Riva wrote:"The team realise they need a stronger partner for Fernando Alonso than Felipe Massa if they want to win the title again.

Maybe Ferrari should have thought about that before implimenting team orders? Why should Felipe Massa or another driver put in 100% if their team won't let them win?

I would love to see Kamui Kobayashi in a top car.

felipe hasn't been the same since hungary 09, he has improved his performance level this year but mostly alonso has the edge on him.

Belgarion of Riva wrote:I wonder what would happen if Jenson joined Ferrari and Felipe joined Mclaren. It would be very interesting to hear what Felipe would say about his time at Ferrari, especially his relationship with Alonso

What can he say?, Alonso has completely upstaged him since he has been there and all people can go on about is last years German race.. Alonso needs a partner who can take point off of other challengers as currently Alonso is usually up there all by him self..

That being said Im not so sure Button is much better than Massa.

I would like to see Rosberg come to Ferrari. Then they will have double the chance of getting a champ.

tunes666 wrote:

Belgarion of Riva wrote:I wonder what would happen if Jenson joined Ferrari and Felipe joined Mclaren. It would be very interesting to hear what Felipe would say about his time at Ferrari, especially his relationship with Alonso

What can he say?, Alonso has completely upstaged him since he has been there and all people can go on about is last years German race.. Alonso needs a partner who can take point off of other challengers as currently Alonso is usually up there all by him self..

That being said Im not so sure Button is much better than Massa.

I would like to see Rosberg come to Ferrari. Then they will have double the chance of getting a champ.

Well, knowing Ferrari and Alonso, I wouldn't be surprised if he said he wasn't allowed to race Alonso and had to yield position to allow Fernando take maximum points. Or he could say his new contract required him to be a number 2 driver and not race his team mate.

I won't be surprised if his poor performances are designed to punish the team for giving Alonso preferential treatment.

Belgarion of Riva wrote:

tunes666 wrote:

Belgarion of Riva wrote:I wonder what would happen if Jenson joined Ferrari and Felipe joined Mclaren. It would be very interesting to hear what Felipe would say about his time at Ferrari, especially his relationship with Alonso

What can he say?, Alonso has completely upstaged him since he has been there and all people can go on about is last years German race.. Alonso needs a partner who can take point off of other challengers as currently Alonso is usually up there all by him self..

That being said Im not so sure Button is much better than Massa.

I would like to see Rosberg come to Ferrari. Then they will have double the chance of getting a champ.

Well, knowing Ferrari and Alonso, I wouldn't be surprised if he said he wasn't allowed to race Alonso and had to yield position to allow Fernando take maximum points. Or he could say his new contract required him to be a number 2 driver and not race his team mate.

I won't be surprised if his poor performances are designed to punish the team for giving Alonso preferential treatment.

lol and you keep telling your self that. I think your flattering Ferrari to be able to orchestrate such results, what a team!

The fact is that since Massa had his crash he has never been the same..

Ask your self why Kimi won the championship only for Massa to challenge the following year?

Maybe its because the view that Ferrari only support one driver is a load of balls

lol and you keep telling your self that. I think your flattering Ferrari to be able to orchestrate such results, what a team!

The fact is that since Massa had his crash he has never been the same..

Ask your self why Kimi won the championship only for Massa to challenge the following year?

Maybe its because the view that Ferrari only support one driver is a load of balls Smile
==============================

Ferrari have a history of orchestrating results my friend. Rubens Barrichello can tell you stories. I also remember them orchestrating Germany last year, do you? I'll refresh your memory; " Felipe, Fernando is faster than you"

Ferrari, recently have favoured one driver over the other. The team mates job is to take points from other drivers and in Massas case, it hasn't worked because he is no longer motivated.

Ferrari were willing to pay a driver money to leave the team to bring Alonso in and were willing to screw Massa who needed that win for his confidence to help Alonso. The team order rule was changed as a result of Ferraris actions. When I was a kid, I used to support the team but I do not anymore.

We want to watch fair racing and unfortunately Ferrari aren't set up that way.

It's clear for all to see, even the most blinkered Ferrari fan.

Belgarion of Riva wrote:

Ferrari have a history of orchestrating results my friend. Rubens Barrichello can tell you stories. I also remember them orchestrating Germany last year, do you? I'll refresh your memory; " Felipe, Fernando is faster than you"

False. Ferrari have a history of challenging for wins and thus always being in the spot light.. anyone who thinks they treat drivers any different than McLaren has over the years simply have blinkered eyes. Go and do your research and show me how Ferrari have done this more than any other other successful team.

Barrichello can say what he likes but the bottom line is he was up against one of the best drivers of all time and he could not even win a championship with Button coasting it.. in any team if a driver proves to be consistent and more successful they will get the backing of the team ahead of a driver who is less consistent... what company do you know will put money and faith into someone who they feel is less likely to blossom?

Last year Massa had no chance of winning the title as he was poor, and everyone knows this. and Ferrari's choice to favour Alonso brought them within one place of winning the championship. There for it was a decision which proved to be the right one and was not based on simply favouring one driver but based on focusing on the best possible chance they had of staging a fight back that season.

You dont think Red Bull favour Vettel? You dont think McLaren has used the team rule in its history?

In the past team orders were in the rules as they are now and you forget that Ferrari is a TEAM.. and there is no I in team, its what the teams says that goes. The only way you become the no1 driver in Ferrari is by showing that every week you are pushing the maximum out of the car not by sitting back while they offer you the first class service while starving the other driver of it. The bottom line is is you go to Ferrari and find the team build around you its because you are an exceptionally good driver....

I point out again, why did Massa come within one turn of being World champ the season after Kimi was world champ?? Because Massa was given the opportunity to match or beat Kimi the season after, which he took with both hands and should have been world champ that year.

Ferrari, recently have favoured one driver over the other.

And Red bull favoured a driver last year as well... Did you not hear Webber state him self "Not bad for a no2 driver"??

The team mates job is to take points from other drivers and in Massas case, it hasn't worked because he is no longer motivated.

So now your a mind reader?

Massa was doing poor, and in one race where he may well have been caught by Alonso anyway with 18 laps to go, and was asked to move... if that's all it takes to completely rid a driver of his form then he is too weak minded to be a driver.

I think its hog wash, and if anything that would have motivated Massa to be more competitive and get more points so such a request would not make sense. Truth is ever since his injury he has not been the same and has not been good enough. and you know it its just you would rather Ferrari support a poor driver than a good one because you dont want them to win!

Ferrari were willing to pay a driver money to leave the team to bring Alonso in

and?... nothing wrong with that. if they do not feel a driver is performing to a high enough standard then they will do what they need to do to make changes. I was delighted when they got rid or Kimi and brought Alonso in.

and were willing to screw Massa who needed that win for his confidence to help Alonso.

No, you guys were just bummed because you knew Massa had no chance while Alonso is a fantastic driver and would be able to claw him self back into contention... the end of the season proved that Ferraris decision was SPOT ON!

The team order rule was changed as a result of Ferraris actions. When I was a kid, I used to support the team but I do not anymore.

I'm sure they will live ...

I thought they hit the nail on the head when they underlined the pure hypocrisy that came from some teams and people like you... I was particularly surprised by the cheek Red Bull had. who favoured Vettel all the way through the season. and even had Torro Rosso held Massa up for Webber... you did not seem to sympathize with Massa then.. lol

The team rule changed because it was a flawed rule that could not be implemented. it is also a rule that every single team on the track would brake at some stage in some way shape or form, and this is why it was rightfully binned. did you not hear what David Coulthard had to say about team orders?, kind of implies something no?

regarding Ferrari's actions. It was justice as Lewis cheated a couple races before to take over the safety car which lead to him gaining about 8 positions more than Alonso... yes he was given a drive though, which changed nothing... And Ferrari where given a fine, which also changed nothing.

We want to watch fair racing and unfortunately Ferrari aren't set up that way.

Oh and Im sure you will pat McLaren and Lewis on their back for their "Fair racing" ...

It's clear for all to see, even the most blinkered Ferrari fan.

Utter Hog Wash!

People do not like Ferrari because they are Huge threat and are here to stay, simple as that...

Forza Ferrari!

tunes666 wrote:

Belgarion of Riva wrote:

Ferrari have a history of orchestrating results my friend. Rubens Barrichello can tell you stories. I also remember them orchestrating Germany last year, do you? I'll refresh your memory; " Felipe, Fernando is faster than you"

False. Ferrari have a history of challenging for wins and thus always being in the spot light.. anyone who thinks they treat drivers any different than McLaren has over the years simply have blinkered eyes. Go and do your research and show me how Ferrari have done this more than any other other successful team.

Barrichello can say what he likes but the bottom line is he was up against one of the best drivers of all time and he could not even win a championship with Button coasting it.. in any team if a driver proves to be consistent and more successful they will get the backing of the team ahead of a driver who is less consistent... what company do you know will put money and faith into someone who they feel is less likely to blossom?

Last year Massa had no chance of winning the title as he was poor, and everyone knows this. and Ferrari's choice to favour Alonso brought them within one place of winning the championship. There for it was a decision which proved to be the right one and was not based on simply favouring one driver but based on focusing on the best possible chance they had of staging a fight back that season.

You dont think Red Bull favour Vettel? You dont think McLaren has used the team rule in its history?

In the past team orders were in the rules as they are now and you forget that Ferrari is a TEAM.. and there is no I in team, its what the teams says that goes. The only way you become the no1 driver in Ferrari is by showing that every week you are pushing the maximum out of the car not by sitting back while they offer you the first class service while starving the other driver of it. The bottom line is is you go to Ferrari and find the team build around you its because you are an exceptionally good driver....

I point out again, why did Massa come within one turn of being World champ the season after Kimi was world champ?? Because Massa was given the opportunity to match or beat Kimi the season after, which he took with both hands and should have been world champ that year.

Ferrari, recently have favoured one driver over the other.

And Red bull favoured a driver last year as well... Did you not hear Webber state him self "Not bad for a no2 driver"??

The team mates job is to take points from other drivers and in Massas case, it hasn't worked because he is no longer motivated.

So now your a mind reader?

Massa was doing poor, and in one race where he may well have been caught by Alonso anyway with 18 laps to go, and was asked to move... if that's all it takes to completely rid a driver of his form then he is too weak minded to be a driver.

I think its hog wash, and if anything that would have motivated Massa to be more competitive and get more points so such a request would not make sense. Truth is ever since his injury he has not been the same and has not been good enough. and you know it its just you would rather Ferrari support a poor driver than a good one because you dont want them to win!

Ferrari were willing to pay a driver money to leave the team to bring Alonso in

and?... nothing wrong with that. if they do not feel a driver is performing to a high enough standard then they will do what they need to do to make changes. I was delighted when they got rid or Kimi and brought Alonso in.

and were willing to screw Massa who needed that win for his confidence to help Alonso.

No, you guys were just bummed because you knew Massa had no chance while Alonso is a fantastic driver and would be able to claw him self back into contention... the end of the season proved that Ferraris decision was SPOT ON!

The team order rule was changed as a result of Ferraris actions. When I was a kid, I used to support the team but I do not anymore.

I'm sure they will live ...

I thought they hit the nail on the head when they underlined the pure hypocrisy that came from some teams and people like you... I was particularly surprised by the cheek Red Bull had. who favoured Vettel all the way through the season. and even had Torro Rosso held Massa up for Webber... you did not seem to sympathize with Massa then.. lol

The team rule changed because it was a flawed rule that could not be implemented. it is also a rule that every single team on the track would brake at some stage in some way shape or form, and this is why it was rightfully binned. did you not hear what David Coulthard had to say about team orders?, kind of implies something no?

regarding Ferrari's actions. It was justice as Lewis cheated a couple races before to take over the safety car which lead to him gaining about 8 positions more than Alonso... yes he was given a drive though, which changed nothing... And Ferrari where given a fine, which also changed nothing.

We want to watch fair racing and unfortunately Ferrari aren't set up that way.

Oh and Im sure you will pat McLaren and Lewis on their back for their "Fair racing" ...

It's clear for all to see, even the most blinkered Ferrari fan.

Utter Hog Wash!

People do not like Ferrari because they are Huge threat and are here to stay, simple as that...

Forza Ferrari!

I find it amusing that whenever people criticise Ferrari, they get labelled Mclaren fans or Hamilton fans. Your response just highlights the typical blinkered Ferrari fan. Last year the rules were broken, what Ferrari did was a blatant disregard for the rules and the fans of the sport. Their actions are a disgrace to this sport.

Your post can be summarised as follows, "I am a Ferrari fan and they can do no wrong". Sad really. Ferrari is no longer a threat dear boy, the fizzy drinks company, mclaren and mercedes are more than a match for them

dyrewolfe wrote:
The talks with Ferrari were apparently just exploratory and given that the McLaren car is equal to, if not slightly better than, the Ferrari, I can't see any benefit in JB moving teams.

That would probably be true if we were talking about moving to any another top team but this isn't just another top team - it's Ferrari.
Boyhood dreams, petrolhead fantasies - most if not all drivers would find it difficult to knock back the chance to be at the wheel of the scarlet one.

@GeeMonkey:

Not so difficult if you know Alonso is going to be your team mate. No other top driver (or former champion) will want to drive for them as long as he is there.

Also, why would McLaren be taking the option of extending Button's contract, if he were unhappy there, or had his head turned by Ferrari. He's already bought himself out of one contract and if he were truly interested, I doubt he would hesitate to do it again.

Button is doing well at McLaren why would he want to move?

Why would any driver want to go to Ferrari when Fernando is there?
You're going to be a no2 and anyone who doesn't believe that is in denial.
Not saying if that's right or wrong but it's FACT.

Interesting view from Philip Duncan (F1 writer for The Daily Mail)
Just replied to us on Twitter regarding this issue:

Philip Duncan
@606v2motorsport Jenson will see out his career at McLaren - it's contract negotiation time so not a surprise to see these reports 'leaked'