sport

Button expresses F1 concern

Jenson Button has suggested the unpredictability of the current Formula One season could soon start to lose its allure for the fans.

History was made in Monaco on Sunday when Mark Webber took the chequered flag, which meant that - for the first time in the sport's 62 years - the opening six races yielded six different winners.

McLaren star Button acknowledges these are exciting times for F1, even if he is finding it a struggle after collecting just two points from the last three grands prix.

The 32-year-old, however, is beginning to wonder about the sheer randomness of it all and whether the fans will question a sport supposed to be the most technologically advanced in the world.

Button, now trailing Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 31 points in the standings, said: "Fernando is leading because he has been more consistent than other people.

"Whether he is in the best car or not no-one is ever going to know, but the consistency is there.

"He is obviously doing a great job - the car is working well - whereas there aren't many other drivers that have had that consistency.

"Clearly everyone is excited about so many different winners, which initially was great for the fans and great for the sport.

"But there will come a time when the fans will say, 'So anyone can win a grand prix, everyone can lose a grand prix like that?' (snaps his fingers).

"I think they're finding it a little bit strange now.

"I don't know, but hopefully a pattern will emerge after the next couple of races and we'll understand the teams and drivers we need to beat to win the championship."

The best car/driver combination is seemingly no longer applicable, and instead it is about who can best figure out how the Pirelli tyres work on any given weekend.

That would appear to be damaging for the sport, but McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh firmly disagrees with that stance.

Whitmarsh said: "It's an enthralling sport at the moment.

"A few years ago people were talking about processional races, and the fact they were so predictable. Well, we certainly don't have a predictable season.

"I think an unpredictable race and an unpredictable season is what fans want.

"Right now the championship is anyone's to play for. We, Lewis (Hamilton) and Jenson can win it, and after six races that is good for the sport.

"If people now say this randomness is unattractive then that is a 180 to what people felt a few years ago.

"On balance I'm sure people want a lack of predictability. You want to go to each event not knowing who is going to win.

"You want to go through the course of the weekend not sure what is going to happen in each session.

"So far every one of our races this year has been very exciting."

Update:

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what do you think?

4 comments

the massons

10:56pm on 29/5/2012

It's ok Button, i can well remember the boring times when it got to lap 20 with schumacher leading from pole and we ended up outside cutting the grass!

Score: 3

Austin Samara

8:16am on 30/5/2012

Button is too old for the game now your mind and body slows when stat ageing at 32 he is past sell by date ,Please retire this boring sport, where cars go round and round.

Score: 4

Davefly Theuniuonflagbrown

8:44am on 30/5/2012

What will kill F1 in the UK is he fact that Sky have almost taken over controle of te TV rights. I have begun to loose interest as half the races will only be shown live if you can afford to pay for them. RIP F1

Score: 3

Kevin Bunting

1:05pm on 31/5/2012

I completely agree with Button. There's a big difference between unpredictability and just complete randomness! This seasons results have just been decided by whoever lucks into the right car setup and driving style to make the Pirelli tyres work. Alonso's consistency is just because he's one of the more adaptable drivers on the grid. Case in point; Pastor Maldonado winning in Spain. A distinctly average pay-driver in an improved, but still poor Williams car should not be finishing ahead of McLaren/Ferrari/Red Bull on a dry track. Please please please FIA, do not turn the sport into a lottery. I'm sure i'm not alone in saying that I want to watch drivers pushing cars to the limits, not just cruising around until their fragile tyres fall apart!

Score: 1