An Apology to Jenson Button

I have long bashed Jenson Button on this site, forums, and chat groups as a fraud through the years. I can now humbly say it is time for an apology to Jenson Button.

Overrated. Not deserving of a seat. Pedestrian. More interested in being a playboy than driver. Bringing the team down. I’ve said it all and said it many times about Mr. Button. Can you really blame me? I’m sure you’ve thought the same thing as this supposed “talented driver” turned in year after year of iffy or poor results. While I bashed him something fierce, I wasn’t the only one.


Then 2009 happened. Button was apparently possessed by Ayrton Senna as he came out and dominated the start of the season. It was as shocking as it was amazing. Ah, but then he started to fade as the season went on and a common refrain was heard. The car was the reason Button was leading the championship, particularly considering his teammate Rubens was out qualifying and out finishing him. While he went on to win the championship, I thought it was one of the more humble triumphs in some time.

The 2010 season stacked up as a big slap in the face for Button. He was coming to McLaren, which was clearly the team of Lewis Hamilton. Given the strife between Hamilton and Alonso a few years back, most expected Button to get the proverbial shaft from the team. He would get second hand treatment and second hand equipment. It would be an embarrassing season for the World Champion. I just new.



Well, I guess it is time to apologize to him. Jenson has proved not only his quality in the results, but also in his driving skill. He is in a solid car and his smooth driving is a contrast to Hamilton who seems to go through tires like Paris Hilton does credit cards. His brilliant decision to switch to slicks in Australia and overall performance in other races has been something to see. He is leading the championship as of the Turkish Grand Prix and it is hard to discount his performance. Perhaps most amazing is his relationship with the immature Hamilton who has proven to be a handful for drivers like Alonso, Heikki and the team itself.

Can Jenson carry it through the rest of the season and take a second trophy in a row? Well, I’m not betting against him anymore. Well done, Jenson. You have my apologies for my past bashings!

<< More Formula One Rants