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Button slams 'erratic and desperate' new F1 drivers

Published on 29 Jun 2016 11:24
4
By: Rob Veenstra

Jenson Button, F1's most experienced active driver, has chastised the latest generation of new and "very erratic" grand prix stars. The 36-year-old, who by season's end will match Michael Schumacher's huge career tally of 308 race entries, says an increasingly young grid lacks the poise of former F1 generations.

"I feel that there are many drivers who should have learned more than they did learn before arriving in F1," Button is quoted by Brazil's UOL Esporte. "They are very erratic. It's like they are driving in 'Formula Desperate' -- they look like they're always so desperate," he explained.

Briton Button, who is hoping to extend his career into an eighteenth consecutive season next year, said that kind of 'desperate' driving indicates a lack of maturity in some F1 rookies today. "That sort of behaviour should have stopped by the time a driver arrives in F1," he said. "By the time your career reaches this level, you should already be smart enough to know what to do with the car and how to race for position."

Button said the new drivers he is talking about would do well to learn from some of F1 legend Michael Schumacher's old races. "These new drivers need to watch more of Michael's races," said Button, "because although he always raced very hard, at the same time he was always very correct in the way he fought." (GMM)

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Replies (4)

Sirhenry

Posts: 759
Button's getting old....
- + 0
- Jun 29 2016 - 16:40
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  No shit, but getting old is one thing, getting bad is something completely different.
  + 1
  
  Jun 29 2016 - 17:27
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
LOL of course Button is right, look at these clowns like Kvyat and the Torro Roso hype boys. When you have experienced clowns like Hamilton still in F1 there is not much hope for the quality of the sport.
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- Jul 1 2016 - 11:02
F1 Follower

Posts: 1
Just because a prison is 36 years old, does not make him old. He is one of the most experienced drivers in F1. He has been called the last of the "gentlemen drivers". Jenson himself has even said that he was not fully ready when he joined F1, so I think he is a qualified person to make that remake as he has learnt from his experience as well as watching those drivers past & present. Jenson also is one of the best drivers when it comes to calls regarding tyre changes & when. He maybe one of the oldest drivers still in Formula 1, but he still has a lot to give, he still has the drive to challenge the limits of his car. The knowledge & experience of helping a team develop. He doesn't ditch his team because they aren't challenging for pole but stays to help his team get back up there one day.
SIRHENRYm my answer to your comment "Button's getting old...." Is "Button is one of the most experienced drivers in Formula 1. The longer he stays, the more experienced he gets. That experience goes onto helping develop cars & teams.
CALLE.ITW Your comment does not make sense. McLaren are still building a car to challenge & be in the top ten. Would you say the same if he was in a Mercades car? Or Red Bull or a Ferrari? I doubt it. He drives the best he can in the car he is given on a race weekend.
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- Jul 4 2016 - 19:45