Button slams 'erratic and desperate' new F1 drivers

  • Published on 29 Jun 2016 11:24
  • comments 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)

No shit, but getting old is one thing, getting bad is something completely different.

  • 1
  • Jun 29 2016 - 17:27

Replies (4)

Login to reply
  • Sirhenry

    Posts: 759

    Button's getting old....

    • + 0
    • Jun 29 2016 - 16:40
    • No shit, but getting old is one thing, getting bad is something completely different.

      • + 1
      • Jun 29 2016 - 17:27
  • 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.

    • + 0
    • 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.

    • + 0
    • Jul 4 2016 - 19:45

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (44)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, GB
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
Show full profile
show sidebar