JENSON BUTTON should take a leaf out of Michael Schumacher’s book — and apply himself as never before — if he is to fulfil his potential to become Formula One world champion and avoid being eclipsed by a new generation of young drivers, according to Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s ringmaster.
As Schumacher and Fernando Alonso prepare for their final confrontation to decide this year’s drivers’ title in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos this weekend, Ecclestone said that he believes Button could be in the same position next season, fighting for a world championship, if he commits himself fully and hauls his Honda team along with him.
Ecclestone said that it is difficult to estimate how well the 26-year-old Briton has been driving this year because no one outside Honda knows how good or bad his car is. Button is likely to finish sixth in this year’s world championship after an end-of-season run of six consecutive finishes in the points.
“Maybe he is flattering the car,” Ecclestone said in an interview with The Times in London. “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.”
Ecclestone is a big admirer of Schumacher and the extraordinary levels of commitment and determination that the German has put in over the past 16 years, together with his unique ability to shape his Ferrari team around him. Like many in the Formula One paddock, Ecclestone is unsure whether Button can match the qualities that Schumacher, seven times the world champion, has shown, particularly outside the car.
“Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved,” Ecclestone said. “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.”
Looking at a Honda team who started this season with high hopes but have struggled to get on terms with the top three — Ferrari, Renault and McLaren — and will finish in fourth place in the constructors’ championship, Ecclestone pinpoints Button’s role as critical for next season.
“The biggest thing that can help Honda is Jenson,” he said. “He needs to get stuck into it and stuck into them, making sure they deliver him the equipment to make him a consistent winner.”
Ecclestone believes that Button will have to show more fighting qualities if he is to add to his maiden victory, which came in this year’s rain-soaked Hungarian Grand Prix. “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,” Ecclestone added.
With an exciting crop of new young drivers coming into Formula One next season, Ecclestone can see how Button could quickly become eclipsed in his eighth season. Among the stars of the future, Ecclestone particularly rates Robert Kubica, the 21-year-old Pole driving for BMW Sauber, Sebastien Vettel, 17, who has done some Friday practice driving for BMW at recent races, and Heikki Kovalainen, the Finn who is replacing Alonso at Renault next year.
“I believe there are going to be a number of drivers coming through the ranks now who are going to surprise a lot of people,” Ecclestone said.
As for this weekend, when Alonso needs one point to retain his drivers’ title, Ecclestone is not expecting anything untoward from Schumacher. “In my opinion, Michael will drive in the most correct manner he has ever driven in Formula One,” he said. “He’s taken the attitude that if it’s going to be, it’s going to be.”
Ecclestone’s view is that Schumacher will win the race but Alonso will do enough to take the title. His hope is that, in retirement, Schumacher will remain a part of the sport that has given him a career record that Ecclestone says will never be bettered.
“I’d like to see him not forget what Formula One’s done for him and find a way to pay a little bit back,” Ecclestone said.
“His record will not be eclipsed. Certainly with Ferrari he’s the one that drives the team. I’m not sure the other drivers are strong enough, willing enough or put enough into it to do that.”
LIFE AFTER SCHUMACHER TITLE CONTENDERS FOR NEXT SEASON
Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One supremo, runs his rule over the contenders for the spoils next season
FERRARI
It will be a different team without Michael Schumacher and Ross Brawn (the technical director who is expected to take a sabbatical). If Kimi Räikkönen delivers, fine, if not the Italian press are not too sympathetic.
RENAULT
Giancarlo Fisichella probably accepted No 2 status alongside Fernando Alonso this season. Now he must grow into a No 1. But Fisi is an “in and out” performer. Obviously they are going to push Heikki Kovalainen to see that he keeps Fisi honest. Still a top-three team, not necessarily champions.
McLAREN MERCEDES
With Fernando Alonso joining them there is no reason why they shouldn’t win the title but it is hard to say how he will fit in with the McLaren culture. Lewis Hamilton will not have a race drive. If it was my decision, I’d be prepared to take the risk with Lewis.
HONDA
All the ingredients are there for success. They are a racing team and have been in racing for ever. Maybe they will settle down because this year they have been very political and have not been concentrating on winning.
BMW SAUBER
BMW has the potential to be winners. I pushed them to take Robert Kubica, in whom they’ve got a potentially winning driver. They also have Sebastien Vettel on the shelf, who’s got an enormous amount of talent and they shouldn’t keep him locked up in the cupboard.
TOYOTA
This team has to make a big, big step forward next year. May need to reshuffle through the team — they have all the cards. Now they need to put them in the right order and play properly.
