The F1 season 2006

Ecclestone: Button not dedicated enough

Wednesday, October 18th 2006, 10:46 GMT

Jenson Button could learn from Michael Schumacher's commitment to become a better driver, according to Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone.

"Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved," Ecclestone said in an interview with The Times newspaper.

"He is dedicated to what he is and puts himself under an awful lot of pressure. He'll win a race and next day start testing. I'm not sure whether Jenson is prepared to do that.

"I would say that Jenson is much like the old-time drivers. The Graham Hill type of driver with all the talent that they need, except nowadays you've got to be dedicated, too."

Honda driver Button scored a long overdue maiden victory this year, after storming to the front in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

And while Ecclestone believes Button has been doing a good job this year, the Briton reckons the Honda driver has to raise his game now to become a superstar.

"Maybe he is flattering the car," Ecclestone added. "But I think he's been around long enough now - he's got to make his mark. If he does, there is no reason why he can't be a superstar for us. He's got all the qualities in and outside the car.

"If you look at his achievements or results, they are mostly the product of people stopping in front of him rather than Jenson overtaking - the team and Jenson need to make a little bit better effort."
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Ouch.
 
Ouch indeed.

What he says about MSC is spot on. In the team people will do anything for him. Outside the team many people think he is very arrogant....

Ian
 
tell me, if MSC didn't set a time in qualli, what the hell is he doing in 10th, he should be at the back???
 
arrr ya, just got the time board up now, sorry I heard wrong, I thought they reported that he didn't set a time, which of course he did, fair enough.
 
What a great race, what excellent racing, really professional stuff.
I do beleive in Karma, what goes around comes around, with MSC, maybe if he'd behaved more sportsman like I'd feel sorry he didn't get the championship, but as it is I think Alonso really deserves the win.
What a great season, one to remember!
 
Great final race, anyone who says the sport is boring should've watched that one. Granted, Massa ran off into the distance, but with the package underneath him being so superior that was inevitable, without the reliability issues in the last couple of races maybe Michael would've been somewhere thereabouts, but credit to Alonso for a good job done. Keeping out of trouble in that race and coming second was no mean feat. And now off to McLaren, when was the last time they had a winless season?

It'll be strange to see a race next year with no M Schumacher but he gave an excellent account of himself today, that move on Raikonnen was excellent, one of his all time best.

Given how well Massa seems to be getting on with the Ferrari, it'll be interesting to see who will have the edge out of him and Kimi next year...

As for the next championship, bring it on! I can't see Renault being contenders, Fisi doesn't seem to have the necessary edge to make him a champion and their new driver will take time to settle. Good chance for Button, Barichello and Honda next year to get a fair few wins, possibly Toyota as well.
 
Given the level of performance and committment shown by MSC yesterday, it'll be a shame to see him go, but at least he's going out at the top of his game, knowing that only one other driver can really hold a candle to him. And, as Mike Hawthorn, England's first World Champion, said, it's much nicer being asked "Why did you retire?" than "Why don't you retire!"

If only he hadn't pulled that dumb stunt at Monaco, things might have been even closer!

I think that only one driver has won his last Grand Prix - Jim Clark, and I'm sure nobody would want to repeat that particular example.
 

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