Lauda: Button's deal 'a true Ron Dennis move'

Wednesday 25th November 2009

Three-times World Champion Niki Lauda believes former McLaren team boss Ron Dennis was behind Jenson Button's move to the Woking-based team.

Barely a few weeks after winning his maiden World Championship with Brawn GP, Button decided to sign a multi-year contract to team up with Lewis Hamilton at McLaren.

The move raised quite a few eyebrows, but Lauda says it's "not really" a surprise and also feels that Ross Brawn was not too happy with Button's performances over the latter part of the season.

"That was a true 'Ron Dennis' move - to run a team with two British World Champions," he told the official Formula One website. "On the other hand, I am sure that Ross (Brawn) was not completely satisfied with Jenson's performance in the second half of the season. But if Mercedes ends up with someone not as good as Jenson, then they've drawn the short straw. I would not have an idea who they should take."

Mercedes are yet to confirm Nico Rosberg's partner for next season and seven-time Champ Michael Schumacher has been strongly tipped to come out of retirement to form an all-German driver line-up.

Although team boss Brawn denied the rumours by claiming it is nothing more than a "dream", Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug remained coy when he was asked about the possibility of Schumacher joining the team.

Lauda, though, says it is unlikely that Schumacher "would be up for a full season" of F1 racing.

"I don't believe that there is one single grain of truth in them, at least from all the signals that I get," he said.

"There was a window of opportunity after Felipe's (Massa's) accident and had Michael been fit he would have taken up that chance to race for three or four races - to prove himself, get the adrenaline rush, and see where he stood in the pecking order.

"But I cannot believe that he would be up for a full season. Why then he did stop racing in the first place? But that is my personal opinion."

Your Comments

Chylout

"Storm - don't follow your logic. Button comprehensively beat Rubens in the first 7 races. Of the remaining 10, Rubens beat Jenson in the race only 4 times (not counting Spa, where Button was punted out by Grosjean when ahead of Rubens) - that's Britain, Valencia, Monza and Suzuka. So I make that 13-4 to Button in the races. And in Suzuka Button would have beaten Rubens from a lower starting spot had it not been for the safety car. So that's my point. First half it was Button all the way. Second half, Rubens qualified better but Button raced better, often coming from behind to beat Rubens. Anyone who says Rubens 'comprehensively' beat Button in the second half has been misled by Button's woeful qualifying at times and are ignoring his excellent rescues on a Sunday afternoon (when it counts). If you're still not sure, here's another stat / fact - Button 95 points and 6 wins, Rubens 77 points and 2 wins. With the same machinery and under more pressure. Statistically speaking Rubens needed to be about 25% better than he actually was to beat Button to the title, and that's a lot"

F1Nut

"Schuui is a red herring (or whatever the German equivalent may be) for 2010. He has "retired", as it appears Kimi has also. He is not completely fit (neck, etc). He will not be back, forget it. Ross has lost his star driver and I'm not convinced he has a viable plan B. Ross will basically get whoever they can afford and good luck to them. To get the best from the car they need real talent and experience. I am not sure there are those drivers left to be able to contract. That leaves taking a chance on young talent. If they can get a Vettel, good luck, otherwise...

Next season will be ho hum without major manufacturers and I am not looking forward to it. Bernie has hoodwinked everyone as usual - why would a circuit, or a TV channel pay millions to host a race that doesn't have the lineup we enjoyed most of 2009. I bet they don't get a refund!"

storm

"Button could never be a number One Driver,even at Brawn he was being pushed Ruben,last year Jenson end the season with 3 point......ok the car was not very good but Ruben made the best of what he had and got more points than Jenson.....so he is very lucky to be where he is now....number 2 driver is a promotion."

qawaza

"racerrick48, u mention no pit stop? Since when did i hear the 2010 rule has no pit stop? I only hear no refuel. So correct me I am wrong.

Besides, Micheal is a different breed. If u are a F1 manager with a choice between JB & Micheal. which one would u choose? Assuming both pay packages are similar.

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