F1: Button Fancies A Title Run – Why That’s Bad News
It has been reported lately that McLaren driver and former champion Jenson Button believes the title is not out of reach until mathematically impossible.
So let us take a look at the mathematics then. Button sits in a tie for seventh in the championship with 76 points alongside Lotus Frenchman Romain Grosjean. One point behind Nico Rosberg, 41 points behind team-mate Hamilton and 88 points behind leader Alonso. With a total of 500 maximum points for the season, 225 maximum points are still up for grabs. Technically and arithmatically speaking, Button has a valid argument. His defict to very strong competition in front of him however, make a stronger counter-argument.
With more than half of the F1 season behind us, there are less opportunities for Button to make up the points he failed to snag before the break. After starting the season with a victory, Jenson’s luck and pace have been less than good or desirable or that matter.
The 32 year old Brit’s biggest problem isn’t just the points deficit or his lack of form, which must be said, has improved somewhat in the last couple of races. Instead, I believe Button’s biggest obstacle is likely to be fellow Brit and McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton. Lewis seems to be in a good mental state. McLaren seems to have made a step forward which Lewis is rather happy with.
If Button is to genuinely make a run for it, he’s going to have to beat Alonso, the Red Bull duo, a recharged and vicously quick Kimi and most difficult of all, a charging Hamilton in identical equipment.
The worst case scenario really for Hamilton however, is if Button does start taking his title run seriously. If Button were to pick up his socks and racking in points, he could end up stealing points away from Hamilton. The issue is that Hamilton needs to beat those ahead of him in order to challenge for the title, as will Button, only Hamilton has a better chance than Button to take the fight to Alonso, Webber and Vettel.
Author: Ernie Black
Twitter: @Goggs_on_F1
Blog: http://thef1poet.wordpress.com
