Jenson Button's opportunity to ever become world champion may have passed him by, according to former driver Derek Daly.
Daly, who competed in Formula one in the late 70s to early 80s and is now a commentator, has written in a book that the fact Button's career stagnated at Honda may mean he now never wins a title.
He said that when Button, 28, switched from Benetton to Honda-powered BAR earlier this decade, he looked like a future champion.
"The team then faltered," he said in his book 'Race To Win', of which extracts were published by The Sun newspaper on Friday.
"Jenson will have lost the Hamilton-Kubica type of hunger-drive and sometimes it's hard to get that back," Daly, 53, wrote.
Daly also offers critical observations about many of Button's current F1 rivals, including championship contenders Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.
He said Hamilton's 'technical abilities' - as well as Williams racer Nico Rosberg's - will not yet be 'fully developed'.
Daly, meanwhile, questions Ferrari driver Massa's 'mental capacity'.
"When he runs out of capacity he flies off the road," he said of Massa.
Daly advises Heikki Kovalainen to stop trying so hard. "If his expectations were lowered he could develop to be superb in two years."
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
I don't get it, really don't! Any one who knows any thing about F1 would know that Jenson is one of the most motivated drivers out there today and one of the quickest too. Just cos he doesn't wear it on his sleeve doesn't mean he's any less hungry for the championship. You only have to look at Honda's track record in the past, its only a matter of time before they come good. Also look at what Ross did at Ferrari inside 2 seasons. I seem to remember the year he came to Ferrari they had a had a dog of a car, but half way through his second season they started winning and the rest as they say is history. Jenson is still young enough to win a world title, What he and the other F1 drivers don't need is someone who never won a Grand Prix let alone a championship spouting of in a book or in the media, with a load of ill informed negativity.
As much as I respect Button, his chances have passed him by. With so many quick young kids out there,the top teams have alot of talent to draw on. Honda is his last stop. If he can't make it here and now, he probubly never will.
I don't think you can judge Ross Braun yet as he had no input into this years car, only being appointed to his position in the close season. Next year will be the test, and judging from Braun's past achievements, 'Honda' might be a very good place to be over the next 2-3 years. I should imagine most of Honda's efforts are now focused on the 2009 season, with this years car being so far off the pace.
its very true, Honda have let him down, loyalty plays know part in F1, if only the top two would offer him a seat,it would wake him up and he could show what he is really about.
Button and Honda fan
couldn't agree more. Button doesn't seem to be hungry enough, and doesn't seem to clock onto the fact that honda is going no where even with ross braun. With his head in the clouds he's got no chance. He needs to wake up and take a seat with the likes of BMW
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