Bahrain Grand Prix, Thursday press conference: Alonso, Button, Hamilton, Massa, Schumacher
Drivers: Fernando Alonso (Ferrari), Jenson Button (McLaren), Lewis Hamilton (McLaren), Felipe Massa (Ferrari) and Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP).
Q: A question to all of you. What are you most looking forward to during this season? Who is going to start? The World Champion.
2010 team previews: McLaren
In 2009 McLaren were in a position they did not expect to be in – at the back of the grid. The MP4-24 was branded by Eddie Jordan as “possibly the worst car McLaren have ever designed.” Team principal Martin Whitmarsh admitted the team “had not done a good enough job”.
However the team made great strides throughout the season and towards the end of the year they were back where they should be and were in contention for wins.
However, surely in 2010 McLaren won’t make the same mistakes, and they are certainly looking to hit the ground running this season with their radical MP4-25, which features a longer wheelbase, a revised nose and front wing, tighter sidepods and a striking engine cover/shark fin connected to the rear wing.
The early signs are good, as according to Lewis Hamilton, the car is a ‘huge improvement’ from the beginning of 2009:
“I got out smiling. The problems I had (in 2009)…I don’t have them in this car. This was everything I could have asked for from a first day - it’s gone well; we felt quite comfortable with what we did but, obviously, there’s a bit of time we need to find and there’s lots of areas in which we can improve.
“I do feel it’s a huge improvement from the beginning of 2009. The encouraging thing is reliability; we’ve had two days and not really had any problems – that’s a huge plus for us.”
Lewis Hamilton
Moving on from the car, what about the drivers?
Two Brits, two world champions with Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton – it seems like the dream lineup!
Undoubtedly in my mind it is Lewis Hamilton who has the better driving talent and raw pace of the two drivers. However there are factors where Jenson Button is equally as good. Button’s smooth style means that he is better at preserving his tyres, rather than Lewis Hamilton’s aggressive style, throwing the chrome car into the corners sideways.
Jenson Button has often been criticised as needing a good car to put in good performances, whereas Lewis Hamilton managed to get some incredible results in the dreadful MP4-24.
Jenson Button has the cooler head of the two drivers, and manages to stay calm under pressure. Lewis Hamilton doesn’t seem to manage this quite as well, occasionally making crucial errors at the worst moments.
I don’t envisage an Alonso-style bust-up at McLaren with Jenson Button and Hamilton, given that Jenson won’t expect number 1 status like the Spaniard. I imagine that combining his raw pace with the fact McLaren have more or less built the team around him mean that it is likely that it will be Lewis Hamilton who lead the Woking-based team’s title charge in 2010.
Who will be the 2010 F1 world champion?
There is a lot of excitement from the fans and a buzz in the paddock now that F1 testing has started, and that it feels like F1 has really kicked off for 2010. However, who will be in contention for the championship this season?
It is nigh-on impossible to make a prediction. But I am stupid enough to try to make one, and in this post, I will be doing just that.
There is McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes GP who could all be in the mix on paper. Sauber could join the teams on that list, based on their impressive testing times, although the skeptics would suggest that they are running low fuel loads to make them look quick, and therefore attract sponsors to slap their signage on a distinctly logo-free livery.
The McLaren MP4-25 is undoubtedly the most radical and aggressive car so far, with the shark-fin attached to the rear wing and the incredibly complicated diffuser. McLaren should undoubtedly be back up with the front-runners in 2010.
Don't make the mistake of writing off Jenson Button just yet! (C) McLaren
While McLaren new boy and reigning world champ Jenson Button is underrated by a lot of people, who believe that it was the car who won him the championship in 2009, but he has shown flashes of brilliance on occasions. The drive to his championship win at Interlagos was stunning, but the defining moment of Jenson’s 2009 was his incredible drive in Monaco, where he seemed to be inches from the barriers, and this precision driving won him the Grand Prix.
This is in stark contrast to Button’s 2010 teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton likes to throw the car around the track, sliding into corners. However don’t let this fool you, after a difficult 2009 he will be back hungrier than ever. His McLaren was very poor to begin last season, and it wasn’t much improved at the end of the year, yet he still managed to wrestle it to some incredible results, winning in Hungary and Singapore. Hamilton will be somewhere near the front if the MP4-25 is only an average car, but if it’s good, he could well dominate.
Like McLaren, Ferrari can't make the same mistakes twice, can they? (C) Ferrari spa
Like McLaren, Ferrari really ought not to make the same mistakes twice, and if the consistent testing times are anything to go by, 2010 will be a good year for the Scuderia.
Felipe Massa was 5th in the championship and going well during qualifying for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix, before his horrific accident. He has proved he has the pace, coming within seconds of winning the world championship in 2008 but we will have to wait and see if he is back, as he claims he is, to the driver he was before the accident. After his short break from F1, and the birth of the real ‘Felipe baby‘ – his son Felipinho, it could be the season for the Brazilian to shine.
Fernando Alonso has had two awful seasons at Renault, with the Spaniard not being able to show his true speed. However Alonso has certainly got a good deal in moving to Ferrari, and the driver who many believe to be the out-and-out fastest in F1 seems to have the right tools after setting the fastest time overall at Valencia testing to win his third world championship.
It is a case of 'if' rather than 'when' for Seb Vettel, but has his time come this early in his career? (C) Red Bull/Getty Images
The Red Bull RB6 has not yet been launched – we will have to wait ’till Wednesday to see it, but given that it is a Newey creation, it should certainly be as radical and as impressive as the RB5.
Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel is undoubtedly a future world champion. Last season Vettel pushed Button right ’till the end, and I believe that had the RB5 had the double diffuser and the Mercedes engine, he would be our reigning world championship. It is a case of ‘if’ rather than ‘when’ for Baby Schumi and a good car (which it almost definitely will be) means that Vettel will be a strong candidate for the title once more.
Moving on from Baby Schumi to real Schumi, who is another driver in contention for 2010. He has proved in testing that he can go quickly, but the murmurs have already started about his neck not being able to withstand another season in F1. However if the health issues don’t materialize then the break from F1 could spark Schumi’s enthusiasm for racing in the top level of motorsport, and help him on the way to an eighth world title.
Felipe Massa - My prediction for the 2010 World Championship (C) Ferrari spa
So, they are the drivers on my shortlist for title contenders, but now it is time to really stick my neck out on the line and predict my 2010 champ. It is such a hard thing to try and do, but my prediction is Felipe Massa. I think that the short break he has had, and the birth of his son will galvanise Massa, who is a driver who has shown many times he has the raw pace. Providing his eye causes him no trouble, I think that the 2010 season will be a good one for the Brazilian.
Button not fazed by Irvine comments
Earlier on we reported that former F1 driver Eddie Irvine said that it was ‘madness’ for Jenson Button to move to McLaren, saying that he had entered ‘the lions den’ and was going to get ‘murdered’.
However Jenson Button who will drive alongside McLaren favourite Lewis Hamilton next season is clearly not fazed by these comments from Irvine and has hit back, saying:
“The important thing is I’m confident in my ability, so I don’t feel I need to prove anything to anyone.
“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I might not agree with it, but everyone is entitled to it.
“It makes my life a lot easier because I’m in a much more relaxed position than people telling me I’m going to destroy my team-mate.
“I can just focus on doing the best job I can and getting the best out of myself and the best out of the team.
“I am here for myself and also for McLaren. People’s comments don’t change anything.”
Jenson: I just can't wait
F1 World Champion Jenson Button says he just can’t wait to get in his new McLaren, the MP4-25.
Button, who will race alongside 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton after leaving title-winning constructor Brawn and the end of last season said:
I’ll be starting to work with my engineers, who are a fantastic bunch of guys.
But, honestly, I really cannot wait to get out to Valencia and get my first run in the MP4-25 – I think that’s when it will finally sink in that I’m a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.“There are a lot of new faces to remember and lots of names to learn – and
that’s all got to be done alongside the engineering and limited testing we have ahead of the 2010 season. But I’m loving every minute of it – the atmosphere within the team feels fantastic, and I’ve already started to feel at home here. I can’t wait to get out in the fantastic new car the team has built for me.“It’s only natural that there will be a lot of factory-based work for the next few weeks. I’ll be starting to work with my engineers, who are a fantastic bunch of guys.
“But, honestly, I really cannot wait to get out to Valencia and get my first run in the MP4-25 – I think that’s when it will finally sink in that I’m a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver.”
Button faces a stern test next year, as Hamilton has been ingrained in the McLaren setup for over a decade, and Jenson will not be able to test the new McLaren car until February, later than his team-mate.
However some believe the scrapping of refuelling could play into Jenson’s hands, as Button is renowned for his smooth style of driving that will help him look after his tyres.
Hamilton, on the other hand, is notoriously hard on tyres, and may have to adapt his style.
Former Super Aguri driver and Honda test driver Anthony Davidson believes Button has got what it takes to take the fight to Hamilton. Speaking on Crash.net Radio, he said:
“He can cope with Lewis. It’s whether he can get to grips with the car with only six tests under his belt before Bahrain. That’s the real issue, and whether the car suits his style. We’ve all seen he’s got quite a narrow window of optimum performance in his style, and if the car suits that style he’ll be a really serious threat to Lewis and will probably be able to match him in race trim. I think he’s going to do an extremely good job and won’t get demoralised by it at all.
“One of Jenson’s biggest strengths is race pace, looking after the tyres – and that’s going to be paramount next year. It won’t be a complete walkover unless he just doesn’t get on with the car, like we’ve seen with Fisichella in the Ferrari, for instance.
“You know the guy’s good, but it just didn’t work for him in the car – and if Jenson finds himself in that situation with McLaren, then he’ll look worse than he really is.
“I know the true skill and the passion that Jenson’s got behind the wheel, and he deserves to be quick as he proved this year – but when the car doesn’t suit his style, he struggles sometimes.”
Only time will tell if Button’s got enough to take on Hamilton – it should be interesting.
We can’t wait either, Jenson!
Brawn: Jenson was not forced out for Michael
Ross Brawn has dismissed suggestions that Jenson Button was forced out of Mercedes GP to make way for Michael Schumacher – but has admitted talks with the two drivers ‘overlapped’.
Despite becoming World Champion and helping secure the Constructors Championship for Brawn GP, Button decided to join McLaren and form a British Dream Team with Lewis Hamilton. Soon after Button left rumors began to surface that Schumacher was going to replace him 4 years after he hung up his helmet.
The news was finally confirmed on Wednesday that the 40-year-old will team up with fellow German Nico Rosberg next year.
Schumacher will be reunited with team chief Ross Brawn, who helped him to his 7 drivers’ crowns with Benetton (1994 & ’95) and Ferrari (2000-04).
However, Brawn denied that Mercedes GP wanted to get rid of Button so that they could sign the 7-time World Champion.
Brawn said:
“I don’t think that is the case. We made a good effort to try to find a solution with Jenson and it didn’t work out. Jenson made his decision in the end not to stay. We made a big effort to keep him but it wasn’t possible in the end.
“It overlapped to be honest. I had a loyalty to Jenson but when that started to look difficult I started talking to Michael, and things developed from there.
“Michael and I kept very close over the years and I saw from his disappointment over the summer, when he couldn’t drive a Ferrari, how much passion he still has for the sport. We’re incredibly excited now about the prospect of Michael being part of the team”
So it’s Britain vs. Germany
Hamilton & Button vs. Schumacher & Rosberg
Who are you backing? Discuss it on our forum here.
Merry Christmas from Vodafone McLaren Mercedes
This video by Vodafone is corny as hell. There’s not even any snow or anything. I hope Lewis got a decent Christmas bonus for it, or a few extra free texts.
Merry Christmas on behalf of all the anf1blog.com team!
MBE for Button
World Champion Jenson Button will be honoured with an MBE, according to the Sunday Mirror newspaper.
Lewis Hamilton was awarded an MBE in 2008 after winning the F1 title, and it appears his team-mate will now follow suit, although an official announcement will not be made until next week.
The honour caps off a fantastic year for Button, who was only 100-1 to win the title in January – I wish I’d had a few quid on that.
The MBE is the initial chivalry class of the Order of the British Empire, just in case you were wondering.
And for Top Gear fans, Jenson Button is on the show tonight. 
You're a team player now, Fernando
Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has spoke of his fears over signing Fernando Alonso as he had doubts over his willingness to work as a team.
Alonso, who is replacing Kimi Raikonnen for the 2010 season, had a turbulent time at McLaren when he partnered Lewis Hamilton and appeared to be constantly at loggerheads with either Hamilton or the then McLaren chief Ron Dennis and left the team at the end of the season.
Di Montezemolo said:
“We have been watching him since 2007. He is an extremely talented driver, quick and good at working with a team, while being totally focused on winning. I spoke about [his doubts] with [Stefano]Domenicali maybe 1,000 times – not 100, 1,000 times – and I spoke with Alonso.
“I told him: ‘If you come to drive for us, you drive for a team, you drive for a group, you don’t drive for yourself. If you want a team, then you do your own team, fantastic, like John Surtees .
“In Ferrari we want to put you in the best condition to win. If not, we will never hire you.”
At McLaren, the relationship between Hamilton and Alonso hit boiling point during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Alonso came in for his pit stop but appeared to wait in the pit box for an extra five of six seconds.
As a result, Lewis Hamilton was unable to get back around the track in time to start a new flying lap before the session ended. Alonso was moved five places down the grid after the stewards looked into the incident.
Here’s a video clip of the pit stop fiasco.
My thoughts:
Although I totally agree that Alonso is one of the best drivers on the grid, I have never felt the same about him after this display of total petulance. The way he handled himself at McLaren left a lot to be desired. Actually, seeing this clip makes me really angry again. It will be interesting to see how the two drivers get on next years, as I’m expecting them to be closely matched.
What do you think?: Join the debate here in our new online forum.
Massa names his rivals
Felipe Massa has said he expects a strong challenge from three other teams in 2010.
The returning Ferrari driver has named McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes as the teams who he feels will be a threat to his title bid.
The Brazilian will be back after spending the second half of the season on the sidelines after suffering a head injury during qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix – he was hit by part of the suspension from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn.
The 2008 F1 runner-up said:
“McLaren and Red Bull are the two I expect most from. But the old Brawn team can do very well as well. It’s the team which won the championship and, now that it’s been acquired by Mercedes, it can become a top level team, able to reassert itself year after year.
“The British teams are very strong, and with Hamilton and Button they have a truly competitive team. And Red Bull was the best team in the second half of the last championship.”
Massa will be keen to get up to speed fast, as he faces a tough challenge this year racing alongside new team-mate Fernando Alonso, regarded by as the best F1 driver on the grid … unless a certain Michael Schumacher returns, that is!