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Selasa, 20 Oktober 2009

It's About Time


pic taken from: www.aboutmyarea.co.uk

Jujur sepanjang tahun ini aku terus menerus menulis tentang Jenson Button dan terus berharap ia akan meraih gelar dunia pertamanya tahun ini, tapi begitu Jenson berhasil, aku benar-benar kehilangan kata-kata (he...he... emangnya gue yang menang kok sampe kehilangan kata2? ). Aku bahkan tak tahu lagi hendak menulis apa tentang Button selain luar biasa!

Pencapaian Jenson Button tahun ini memang benar-benar luar biasa! Sebelum GP Australia tahun ini, tak ada seorang pun yang memperhatikan seorang Jenson Button. Bertahun-tahun ia terpuruk di F1 dengan saat-saat yang singkat baginya untuk memperlihatkan kualitasnya tapi bakat luar biasanya itu lebih banyak tenggelam. Bahkan tak ada yang mengira bahwa pria kelahiran Somerset, Inggris dua puluh sembilang tahun lalu ini akan berhasil meraih gelar dunia.

Dunia memang sempat terhenyak ketika Jenson Button dan tim debutan Ross Brawn tampil mendominasi, tapi tak ada satupun yang mengira bahwa tim bekas Honda ini akan mampu berbicara lebih banyak di kancah F1, dan tak ada yang mengira pada balapan-balapan berikutnya, keperkasaan Jenson Button dan Brawn GP terus berlangsung meski dominasi Jenson akhirnya terhenti sampai GP Turki.

Beruntung? Tidak juga, kurasa. Keberuntungan memang diperlukan di F1, tapi di dunia yang serba pasti dengan perhitungan yang akurat, keberhasilan Brawn GP dan Jenson Button tidak bisa dipandang sebelah mata dengan mengatakan bahwa mereka tengah beruntung seperti dalam permainan lotere. Keberhasilan Brawn GP tahun ini bisa dibilang merupakan puncak dari kerja keras seluruh orang yang terlibat di tim ini sejak tim ini didirikan tahun 1998 (kalau tak salah) ketika tim ini masih merupakan tim koalisi dua pabrikan tembakau Inggris dan Amerika, BAT.

Memang prestasi Jenson yang sempat melempem di pertengahan musim sempat membuat orang mulai meragukan kemampuan Jenson meraih gelar dunia terlebih sebelum GP Brazil, Sebastian Vettel dari Red Bull berhasil membuka peluangnya sebagai kompetitor dalam perebutan gelar dunia kembali mengemuka. Bahkan tak sedikit yang mencibir putra kesayangan John Button ini.

Namun menurutku baik yang memuja maupun meragukan Jenson, kurasa semua itu merupakan wujud dukungan bagi Jenson Button yang terbukti di GP Brazil kemarin menunjukkan kembali kualitasnya sebagai pembalap yang pantas meraih gelar dunia.

Memulai start dari grid keempat belas, Button langsung memperlihatkan kepiawaiannya, ia segera melesat menuju p 9 dan terus merangsek naik namun sempat tertahan di belakang rookie dari Toyota, Kamui Kobayashi. Tapi akhirnya Jenson berhasil juga melewati pembalap pengganti Glock yang cedera ini dan sempat memimpin lomba namun sayangnya Mark Webber langsung meraih kembali posisinya setelah keluar dari pit. Tapi perjuangannya dari grid ke empat belas hingga berhasil finish di tempat kelima mestinya membuat orang-orang yang meragukan Jenson mulai mereset ulang pandangan mereka tentang juara dunia F1 yang baru ini.

Sedikit me-review GP Brazil, meski ditayangkan di tengah malam tapi GP Brazil selalu layak ditonton. Kekacauan akibat hujan lebat di sesi kualifikasi Sabtu membuatku teringat pada GP Brazil 2003 saat GP Brazil masih menjadi balapan pembuka ketiga setelah GP Australia dan Malaysia. Saat itu, hujan deras juga melanda sirkuit yang salah satu tikungannya diberi nama legenda F1 asal Brazil, Ayrton Senna yang sampai saat ini belum memiliki penerusnya (Massa tahun lalu nyaris menjadi juara dunia dan Rubens Barrichello yang sebelum GP Brazil merupakan penantang terberat Jenson tapi setelah finish di tempat kedelapan di depan publiknya sendiri, ia malah harus merelakan posisi keduanya di klasemen kepada Sebastian Vettel).

Saat itu sirkuit Interlagos ini digenangi air yang membuat banyak pembalap terpeleset dan mengakhiri balapan mereka, bahkan seorang rain master seperti Michael Schumacher terpaksa menyerah kalah setelah mobilnya juga ikut melintir. Tapi yang seru adalah kekisruhan soal pemenang lomba setelah akhirnya balapan dihentikan di tengah jalan (tapi poin yang didapat para pembalap di big eight tak dipotong seperti di GP Malaysia tahun ini yang balapannya terpaksa dihentikan karena hujan deras). Seperti balapannya yang kacau masalah siapa yang akhirnya memenangi balapan pun tak jelas. Sebelumnya ditetapkan Kimi Raikkonen yang memenangi balapan tapi setelah dilakukan perhitungan-perhitungan mengenai beberapa detik sebelum lomba dihentikan sesuai regulasi FIA, akhirnya kemenangan Kimi dianulir dan FIA menganugrahkan kemenangan itu untuk Giancarlo Fisichella dari tim Jordan. Kimi pun terpaksa memberikan trophy-nya untuk Fisi dalam upacara singkat saat sesi latihan GP berikutnya.

GP Brazil juga sepertinya merupakan GP penentu bagi juara dunia. Di tahun 2007 dan 2008, Kimi Raikkonen dan Lewis Hamilton berhasil meraih gelar dunia di GP Brazil ini. Bahkan tahun ini, meski bukan lagi merupakan GP penutup tetap saja gelar dunia baru lahir di GP ini.

Satu lagi fakta yang kuperhatikan. Rubens Barrichello tak pernah mengalami nasib baik di GP negaranya ini. Seperti Jenson Button di GP Inggris, begitu pun dengan Rubens Barrichello. Bahkan ketika Rubens masih bersama Ferrari dengan mobil yang mumpuni sekalipun, Rubens Barrichello tak pernah menjuarai balapan di depan publiknya sendiri ini. Bahkan tahun ini, ia mengalami nasib lebih tragis dari rekan senegaranya, Felipe Massa, yang meski tahun lalu ia tak berhasil menjadi juara dunia tapi ia berhasil tampil dominan di depan rekan-rekan sebangsa dan setanah airnya. Sementara Rubens Barrichello meski berhasil menjadi pole sitter tapi strategi balapannya yang dikacaukan oleh kemunculan safety car setelah kecelakaan di awal lomba membuat posisi keduanya di klasemen direbut oleh Sebastian Vettel yang berhasil finish di tempat keempat, dan di GP Abu Dhabi, Rubens Barrichello masih harus bertarung lagi untuk meraih gelar kedua di belakan rekan setimnya, Jenson Button dan melengkapi sukacita Brawn GP yang juga berhasil meraih gelar dunia konstruktor. Dan jika Rubens Barrichello berhasil merebut kembali posisi keduanya dari tangan Vettel di Abu Dhabi, maka berarti Brawn GP memang pantas berpesta.

Ya, balapan memang masih menyisakan satu lagi. Button dan Brawn GP telah berhasil melalui jalan yang panjang dan berliku itu. Memang hanya masalah waktu bagi Jenson untuk memperlihatkan bahwa ia memang pantas meraih gelar dunia dan waktu itu adalah sekarang. It's Jenson's time! Congratulations Jenson and Brawn GP!

Terakhir, aku ingin menyampaikan kalimat Nick Fry yang kukutip dari Autosport.com mengenai keberhasilan Jenson Button ini, "I think he's just demonstrated to everyone what he can do, and the doubters who said he couldn't overtake or he wasn't aggressive enough, hopefully they're now eating humble pie."
pic taken from: www.dailymail.co.uk
Jenson Button - Race Driver of Brawn GP

Nationality: British
Date of birth: 19 January 1980
Place of birth: Frome, Somerset, England
Lives: Monaco
Height 1.83m
Weight 70.5kg
Marital status: Single
Hobbies: Water sports, cycling, ski touring, cars and music
Website www.jensonbutton.com


GP debut: Australia 2000
Best World Championship position: 3rd - 2004
First win Hungary 2006
Last win Turkey 2009
Pole positions: 7
GP starts: 168
GP wins: 7
GP points: 317


2009 Formula One: Brawn GP Formula One Team - Race Driver, Car No. 22
2008 Formula One: Honda Racing F1 Team - 18th in Drivers’ Championship
2007 Formula One: Honda Racing F1 Team - 15th in Drivers’ Championship
2006 Formula One: Honda Racing F1 Team - 6th in Drivers’ Championship
2005 Formula One: B·A·R Honda - 9th in Drivers’ Championship
2004 Formula One: B·A·R Honda - 3rd in Drivers’ Championship
2003 Formula One: B·A·R Honda - 9th in Drivers’ Championship
2002 Formula One: Renault F1 - 7th in Drivers’ Championship
2001 Formula One: Benetton - 17th in Drivers’ Championship
2000 Formula One: Williams - 8th in Drivers’ Championship
1999 British Formula 3 Series: 3rd in Championship & Top rookie driver
1998 British Formula Ford Series: Winner
European Formula Ford Series: 2nd
1997 European Supercup A Kart Series: Winner
Ayrton Senna Memorial Cup: Winner
1996 World Cup & American Kart Series: 3rd
1995 Senior ICA Italian Kart Series: Winner
1994 British Junior Kart Series: 4th
1993 British Open Kart Series: Winner
1992 British Open & British Junior TKM Kart Series: Winner
1991 British Open & British Cadet Kart Series: Winner
1990 British Cadet Kart Series: Winner
1989 British Kart Super Prix: Winner

(NB: Stats correct post 2009 Japanese GP)

Ecclestone: Publicity from Senna death 'good for F1'


Source : www.crash.net

The tragic death of Ayrton Senna in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola brought good as well as bad to F1, contends Bernie Ecclestone

The publicity generated by the tragic death of Ayrton Senna 15 years ago 'was good for F1' – that is the extraordinary pronouncement of the sport's commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone, who earlier this year was widely pilloried for having admired Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein as model leaders who 'got things done'.

On the weekend of the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos – where home hero Senna twice triumphed, sending the partisan crowd into raptures – Ecclestone caused further controversy in suggesting that the accident that claimed the life of the legendary three-time F1 World Champion in the opening stages of the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola actually benefitted the sport in some respects as well as taking away from it, both in terms of the exposure it guaranteed and the improved safety measures it precipitated.

“He was unfortunate,” the Formula One Management (FOM) chief executive told Brazilian newspaper Folha de São Paulo, “but the publicity generated by his death was so much...It was good for F1.

“It was a shame that we had to lose Ayrton, but it happened. He was very popular, but the actual event interested so many people who did not know about the sport, and increased interest in F1 because of it.”

Ecclestone similarly used the interview as an opportunity to praise the way in which the top flight has responded to the ongoing global economic turmoil – “People talk about the crisis,” he mused, “but there is money out there – I just talked to a guy who wants to buy one of the teams” – and contended that 'Singapore-gate' protagonist Nelsinho Piquet deserves another chance in F1.

The 78-year-old also rubbished suggestions that Ferrari might be granted its wish of running three cars in 2010 – one for the recovering Felipe Massa, one for double world champion Fernando Alonso and a third for the record-breaking Michael Schumacher, who has again hinted that he may yet return to competition at the highest level after his summer test re-whetted his appetite for the fight.

“It's stupid,” the Englishman bluntly opined. “It will not happen – forget about it.”

Schumacher: 'No reason' to say I won't return to F1


Source : www.crash.net

Seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher drops the biggest hint yet that a full-time comeback is on his mind...

Record-breaking seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher has admitted that he does 'slightly regret' having elected to hang up his helmet three years ago – as he gave his clearest hint yet that the top flight remains unfinished business for him.

Schumacher retired at the end of the 2006 F1 World Championship campaign, having competed in no fewer than 16 seasons at the highest level that yielded a staggering 91 grand prix victories, 154 podium finishes and an unrivalled points tally of 1,369.

However, he sensationally announced back in the summer that he was willing and prepared to return to the grid to substitute former team-mate Felipe Massa following the Brazilian's freak high-speed Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying accident that left him sidelined with a fractured skull and head and eye injuries – from which the 28-year-old is now happily almost fully recovered.

Although a subsequent test highlighted the fact that the German's neck was still not sufficiently healed from a motorcycling fall he had suffered at Cartagena in Spain back in February to adequately withstand the pressures of an F1 car – and consequently ruled him out of his desired comeback – it soon became apparent that the outing had re-awakened Schumacher's competitive instinct and the desire in him to compete once more.

Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo has made little secret of his wish for teams to be allowed to run three cars in 2010 – ostensibly to be able to field Schumacher alongside confirmed pairing Massa and Fernando Alonso – and whilst F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone has insisted that this will emphatically not happen, the most successful driver in the sport's history has dropped further hints that his mind may already be made up.

“From now to the end of the year, my neck injury will be healed to the point where I could drive again,” the 40-year-old revealed in an interview with Der Spiegel magazine, “though I have nothing to prove to anyone, not even myself.

“I still slightly regret having retired three years ago, but there's no reason whatsoever for me to definitively announce that I will not come back. The life I lead makes me happy, but who knows that will happen a few months or a year down the line?”

Schumacher has confirmed that he will again contest the Race of Champions end-of-season spectacular, being held in the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing this year and featuring newly-crowned F1 World Champion Jenson Button, Red Bull Racing rival Sebastian Vettel, eight-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Tom Kristensen, current World Rally Championship leader Mikko Hirvonen and triple World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx.

Beyond that, it has emerged that the Kerpen native might continue his occasional motorcycling forays in 2010, as long as they remain just that – occasional.

“We wanted him to be the official rider all season-long, but he didn't want that,” KTM motorsport advisor Heinz Kinigadner told Bild newspaper when asked about speculation that 'Schumi' might enter the International German Motorcycle Championship, an idea his manager Willi Weber acknowledged is 'possible'. “He didn't want to put himself under the stress of a whole season of racing.”

Reaction: Button and Brawn, F1 champions


Source : www.crash.net

The motorsport world reacts to Jenson Button and Brawn GP securing the 2009 F1 titles

Jenson Button:
Today was the best race that I've driven in my career and I'm really going to enjoy this moment. For the team to win the Constructors' and the Drivers Championships here is just fantastic and they deserve it so very much after all the difficult times that we all went through over the winter. This season has been a rollercoaster ride from the elation of the wins at the start to the hard graft in the second half of the season which has seen us grind out the results needed to take the titles.

We have to say a huge thank you to Norbert Haug and Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines for all of the support that they have given us over the year. Without their commitment and faith in the team, and the fantastic engine that they have provided, we would not have been able to achieve the success that we have today.

The list of people that I have to thank personally is too long to mention but they all know who they are and how much their support has meant to me over the years. To everyone back at the factory in Brackley, thank you for all of your hard work and for producing such a fantastic car. It's going to take a while to sink in but for now I'm just reveling in the achievement of a lifelong dream. It's going to be one hell of a party tonight!

Ross Brawn, team principal:
What a day! I am so incredibly proud of the team and our drivers and it's so very special to have won the Constructors' and the Drivers' Championships in our first year as Brawn GP. The second half of the year has been tough after such a successful start but getting the results in the difficult times is what counts in a Championship season.

It's really going to take a while for what we have achieved today to sink in. Jenson is a fantastic racer and he had a great race today, particularly after such a difficult qualifying yesterday. He knew what he had to do and did just that and is a very deserving World Champion. Rubens has made a fantastic contribution to this season without which we could not have won the Constructors' Championship today.

The spirit in which our two drivers have fought for the Championship makes me very proud. They have been a credit to the team and our sport. The work and the commitment that the team showed over the winter and throughout this season really has been sensational. We would like to take this opportunity to say our thanks to Mercedes-Benz who have been a fantastic partner for our team and have integrated incredibly well this season. Their contribution to our success, and the support of McLaren gave us over the winter and at beginning of season, has enabled us to be in the position that we are in today.

I hope that everyone at the factory in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brackley, is very proud of what we have achieved today. I also want to thank everyone who has worked with the team over the years that couldn't be with us this season as we had to resize the team at the start of the season. My sincere thanks go out to them because they worked so hard and should feel a part of our success.

Rubens Barrichello:
It has truly been an amazing year when you consider the situation that we were in just before the start of the season. I'm truly pleased for Jenson as a friend and he is a great champion. We have a fantastic relationship working together and that has really shown through this year. Well done to him. It was a true fight and I fought really hard but he really won it in the first half of the season. The team have been superb this year and they thoroughly deserve to win both the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships today. We're going to have a great night together and I'm pleased to have played my part in securing the Constructors' title for the team.

Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull Racing:
Congratulations to Jenson and Brawn, I think they did the best job this year.

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing:
Congratulations to Jenson on becoming World Champion, he's been a great competitor this year and also to the Brawn team on winning the Constructors' Championship.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren:
On behalf of all at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I'd like to offer our congratulations to Jenson, to Ross, to Nick and to the entire Brawn team for winning the drivers' and constructors' world championships this afternoon – and to Mercedes-Benz, too, who supplied their winning engines. Jenson fully deserves his success – although I'd like to make clear that both Rubens and Sebastian would also have been worthy champions, had things played out differently.

Norbert Haug, Mercedes-Benz:
I would like to congratulate, on behalf of Mercedes-Benz, Jenson Button and the Brawn GP team for winning both Formula 1 world championships today. Ten months ago these guys were in danger of having no future in Formula 1. Today, they all achieved the biggest reward possible for all their hard work and effort. Well done Ross and Nick and everybody at Brawn GP – you wrote a fairytale story this season. I also would like to express my sincere compliments to all our engine people at Brixworth and Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz powered two times in a row the world champion!

I would like to say sorry to Rubens and Sebastian who today needed to give up their fierce plans of winning the world championship – but I am sure both of them see, like all of us, in Jenson Button a worthy successor to Lewis Hamilton as F1 world champion.

Stefano Domenicali, Ferrari:
On behalf of the entire team, I want to congratulate Jenson Button and Brawn GP for winning both world championships today. I am particularly pleased for an old friend like Ross.

Vijay Mallya, Force India:
Congratulations to Jenson Button and Brawn GP for winning their first-ever world titles. Their performance this season has been quite staggering and they thoroughly deserve this success.

Colin Hilton, Motor Sports Association:
Jenson has done a fantastic job this year and we are all delighted for him. For those of us who have followed his career as he came through the ranks of UK motor sport, it was always clear that he had the makings of a future world champion. The team have obviously given him the right equipment this year and he has delivered spectacularly.

For Brawn GP to have come so far in last 12 months is also a remarkable achievement and says a great deal about the leadership talents of Ross Brawn and Nick Fry. It also underlines the calibre of the motor sport industry in this country – an area in which Britain clearly leads the world. For the UK to enjoy back-to-back F1 world championships is a wonderful boost for the sport.

On behalf of the whole of British motor sport, I would like to congratulate Jenson on his stunning achievement in becoming Britain's tenth F1 world champion.

Sir Jackie Stewart:
[Jenson] paced himself correctly – he wasn't going to win the race, it was obvious – but at the same time he did it in a calculated, smooth and careful fashion. At the end of the day that's how you win world championships. He did it with quiet dignity as well, even at the time when he was getting battered around on the basis that, after the first seven races of which he won six, there couldn't have been a higher pinnacle to be on – then suddenly there was nothing coming in the way of wins. That must have got to him pretty heavily and he was being well criticised for it, but he kept his dignity, kept his style and came through.

For Ross Brawn to bring not only the world championship of drivers to Jenson but also to win the constructors' world championship in his first year as a constructor is an amazing achievement.

Damon Hill:
Jenson really put his stamp on it. He showed everyone that he was determined to win this one and take it – and wasn't going to have it given to him. It's a very happy story. Jenson's a lovely guy and he's the playboy world champion with the winning smile. I think everyone feels good for him. He got accused of not taking it seriously but I think he showed everyone how serious he is inside.

Niki Lauda:
When you are world champion there is nothing to criticise. He is one of the world champions now and he did a perfect job. He was very conservative in the middle of the season, trying to protect his lead, and he did manage to protect it. He drove a really aggressive perfect race in Brazil, so he can do both sides. You have a really good world champion back in England again.

Eddie Jordan:
The person with the most points on the board is always the worthiest because it's a championship over a very long season and you can't discriminate between who is good at the beginning and who is good at the end — it's the number of points scored. It is arguable that Jenson was far too good at the beginning and, when he was in a very good car, he was probably untouchable. When the car got more tricky to set up, he was less dominant, but I don't think that makes him a less worthy champion.

Bernie Ecclestone:
What a fantastic race, what a fantastic season. In a way I'm sorry the Championship is finished because it's been so dramatic. There was always a big question mark over Jenson but he drove a bloody good race. He answered all the questions and got the job done.

The bottom line is he had a big help at the beginning of the year technically with the car, but Jenson has still done what he had to do and in recent months he has performed to win the World Championship, not to win races.

Gordon Brown, Prime Minister:
I want to send my warmest congratulations to Jenson Button for clinching the Formula 1 drivers' championship today in Brazil, on the same circuit that Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' championship last year. We can be proud that Jenson is the 10th British driver to win the title. His performances over the season with the new Brawn team have excited Formula 1 fans in Britain and across the world, and we look forward to his continuing success in the seasons ahead.

Jenson Button on being world champion


Source : www.autosport.com
By Jonathan Noble

As the newly-crowned world champion Jenson Button walked into the press conference room at Interlagos for a hastily co-ordinated conference with the world's media, having escaped the insane scrum that was the Brawn pit garage, he was confronted with half empty rows of seats.

In buoyant mood he stood up and yelled loudly: "Where is everyone? I'm f*****g world champion!" That got some attention. Swiftly, people moved in to position to question the 29-year-old Briton on what will go down in history as one of the most extraordinary world championship campaigns.

AUTOSPORT was there to hear what the new king of Formula 1 had to say...

Q. Can you describe your emotions?

Jenson Button: It feels like I'm still racing. It has been flat out since I have got out the car, it is more of a relief. You feel ecstatic, all the bad memories and the good memories go through your mind, not just from this year but previous years in the sport. Especially this year you know, such a great start to the season, then the last races pretty stressful for me because the pace was there, but for whatever problem in qualifying we struggled. It made it very difficult for me, a bit just because mentally that hurts when you can't get the best out of the car, but also I read too many papers and magazines and there were some negative comments. It's tough when you are a driver and you know that you are at the top of your game, but there has been a lot of good stuff written about us this year and so there should be.

This team has done staggeringly well. What this team achieved this season after the winter we had is exceptional. I don't really think there has been a season like it in Formula 1. It's great to be sitting here as world champion and I personally think I thoroughly deserve it. I've been the best over 16 races and that is what world championships are. I am it. I am world champion. I am going to say that all night because I heard my flight is cancelled.

This was the best race I've driven in my life, I know because of the emotion that's involved in it, but also because I knew what I had to do - I did it, and that is why I am sat up here as world champion. I am going to enjoy this moment very much. The people around me have been so supportive. I might have come across like I don't care about this in the past, but that was just me keeping a face. It shows a weakness if you show it is hurting or stressful, but I can say it now, it was very a tough few months and I needed the people around me, especially the team to fight for this.

Today I didn't win the race but I did best I could with the car and it felt like a win to me.

I am the world champion - I am not going to stop saying it!

Q. How frustrating was it to be following Kamui Kobayashi for so long?

JB: That guy is crazy! I suppose it is just inexperience, but he moves a lot in the braking zones which makes it very difficult as Nakajima found out. Everyone else was tough but fair, he was a bit crazy and he will be put in his place a little bit more now. I had very good straightline speed, but when you have that you don't have as much downforce as other people.

I had to fight car in last three corners to get close enough to challenge in to Turn 1, every time I passed in Turn 1 I was never on their tail, it was a late braking move. You could say risky but I didn't think so. I knew I had to take points off of Rubens this race, or get close to him. Mark was very quick and Rubens was in second, so I knew I had to be fifth. That was my aim.

It was an amazing race and that race for me was probably my best race, even though I didn't win the race, because I did everything I could. I've won the world championship before the last race, which is a nice feeling. I know it has taken a bit longer than people thought, but this is F1, and there are some amazing drivers in this sport. There are competitive teams and drivers, which is why it is hard to win in it. We have seen all season long that there have been many different cars that can win races and challenge for victories so it has made it difficult for everyone this year.

Q. It was in the balance up until Rubens's second pitstop...

JB: Yeah, I think Rubens was in fourth or third. I was running in sixth at this point, that was all I needed, Rubens had to get more than four points on me. I knew I could stay in sixth, my pace was reasonably good. I didn't want to let Vettel past because I do have that fighters' instinct. He was able to get past when I was struck behind another car, but fifth place was all I could achieve today but that was enough.

Q. You appeared to have a different approach to recent races, what changed?

JB: It wasn't any different to the last couple of races. I made the moves when I had to win the races and my pace was good in clear air. Qualifying has been something I couldn't get my head around for the last few races. I don't know what it is, but it is something that we need to look at for the next race. I don't want to be beaten in the next race as the world champion. Maybe it is the stress of it all, maybe it's just that we haven't got it together. I think it's probably the latter.

Q. When you woke up this morning did you honestly think you could do it today?

JB: I did actually. Yeah. I didn't know what Rubens could do but I knew we could fight fifth or sixth. We looked at strategy and it said I could be fifth or sixth, I made everything I could happen and I went to bed last night very happy because I suppose after qualifying I really struggled.

I sat in my room after Q2 and when I thought qualifying would have gone very well because of the wet, and I enjoy the wet, and I saw the worst thing that could possibly happen to me which is my team-mate put it on pole... I felt sick, I really did.

But then I went to see the boys, everyone was very positive. I headed home with my team of people, had a few drinks and knew I was ready for action today. I've been positive all morning. It's always difficult when you are the person you are fighting for world championship is in his home country. It's been a great weekend.

I don't know what else to say. I am world champion!

Q. Are you in a position to say whether you will be in a position to defend your world title, with Brawn next year?

JB: I am hopefully going to be racing in F1, it would be a pretty poor effort if I wasn't racing. I haven't decided anything yet. Maybe I will go and race in something else or something. I've won the world championship now! No, I want to be here next year and I want to be with a team that can challenge for victories like this season.

Brawn can do that, these guys are not one hit wonders, they have some sensationally talented people in our team. We might not be big like other teams but that will be a benefit to us next season as the teams have to get smaller and we have the right amount of people for next year.

We are in a great position, we have worked on this year's car as much as possible, but we have also worked on next year's car. This isn't it for Brawn GP. But I haven't talked to the team seriously about anything for next year. We wanted to get this out the way, for the teams' championship and drivers', but I will sit down and discuss it when I've got over my hangover in the morning!

Q. Were there any moments when you thought you this day would never come?

JB: I suppose my second year in F1 was the toughest personally. After my first year it wasn't enjoyable. It was enjoyable at Williams and got great results, but I really didn't work hard enough. Basically I was too inexperienced and too young to be racing. The second and third years of my career were very difficult, especially my second. That is when I knew it wasn't just speed, you can't win races with just that. You need to work on many different areas and F1 becomes your life. That was the most difficult season.

I didn't know where my career was going then.

The only other time was last year. During the season was tough, we could not get performance out of the car but I knew I could work that out. It was the winter that was very difficult. Don't feel sorry for me because it has all come good, but it was a tough winter. Tougher for the team than it was for me for sure. I didn't know if I would be racing in F1 this year, and that is the truth.

I had a few options but nothing that would have furthered my career, so I was thinking about taking a year out. But if you do that you get forgotten as many drivers have so I am happy we were able to turn it around and get the car on the grid in Australia and this is the end of the fairy tale.

Q. Who are the people that helped you the most to get where you are now?

JB: There is long, long list. The old boy obviously, he has given me the support through my life, as my whole family have. In racing, the whole team. When you have a winter like the one we did, it was a big deal. It brought everyone very close. I've been with this team since 2003, we seem to get closer and closer. We've been through some difficult times together.

It was difficult for the team to stay positive when they have seen some poor results over the last couple of years. But they pulled together and built us a great car. The car has been great this year but how we won this is through the team effort and through every single person in this team. Everyone had to do a great job, or else you are not going to win races and you are not going to win the world championship. Hopefully they will all get their bonus now.

Q. Now you are more relaxed you can go out and win it in Abu Dhabi?

JB: Ask me before the race, I'm not interested in talking about Abu Dhabi at the moment. I've just become the world champion. That is what I am going to enjoy this evening. If I had a poor start to the season and won the last six races, would you be asking me the question? No. It's been a good year, times have been tough, I've screwed up qualifying a few times but been able to bring it back in the races and that is what is important.

Q. How does it feel to be on top of the world after a winter of such uncertainty?

JB: I think I've spoken about what it feels like to be here in this position, with the team like Brawn it is great. It is not a completely new team, a lot of personnel I've worked with in the past but we have not had the same budget as previous years. But we were still able to make parts this season and that is because we have some very talented people and good management. This team would not exist if Ross was not here. It has his name on the side of the car, and that is a lot pressure on a person. So for him to win today both the constructors' and the drivers' championship is exceptional.

The guy deserves a medal. He has been very helpful over the past few races. He has won many world championships and he has also seen tough seasons. He has been in every situation, he knows that normally winning the world championship is not easy and you have many dark days. So he has been helpful. I don't think anyone could have done it without him.

Q. You have had your detractors, how much is this result one in the eye for them?

JB: I don't need to use words for that one. I have had a very up and down season but I have come out on top - I am world champion. What other words can I use? It is getting boring now. Not it's not, um...

I am going to enjoy this moment like you wouldn't believe. You can do that when you've won can't you? I don't need to say anything. You will always have people who are negative, and to start with it is boring talking about me finishing sixth, fourth, fifth, second... Jenson did a reasonable job today... that doesn't sell newspapers, I understand it is exciting to talk about, 'he is losing it, or if he is a worthy world champion', but I am sitting here now! You can't take that away.

The last few races have I think, in the races shown that I have done everything I can with the package I had and today was no exception for me. Today was the best drive I have done in my career. DC said it was a winners' drive and I am not going to talk it down. Today was a great drive.

Q. Mark Webber said you will sleep well tonight because you have been absolutely bricking it for the last few races. Aussie overstatement?

JB: I haven't enjoyed the last few weeks and it has been difficult because even though you have got the lead, it is very, very difficult. Even if you are performing very well, and leading people in the championship, it is still very stressful. You go to bed thinking about qualifying and races... and you wake up thinking about. During that period you might sleep on it, especially without Jessica here, I've been all on my own so... I did ask the boys if they would stay in my room last night as I knew it would be a tough, but they didn't!

It's weird because I dreamt up on Friday night that qualifying would be terrible and it was, and I also dreamt that night that I would win the world title so maybe there is some truth in dreams.

Button celebrates title on his own


Source: www.autosport.com

By Pablo Elizalde

Jenson Button celebrated his first Formula 1 world championship alone in his Sao Paolo hotel room, just lying on a bed smiling.

"I was up until about four just really lying in bed with a big grin on my face," Button told reporters at his hotel on Monday, one day after clinching the title at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"Just time by myself, just relaxing and thinking about what I had achieved. That was the best place for me.

"I only slept for about three hours, I couldn't sleep for any longer. I just wanted to be awake to enjoy it. I woke up every hour just with a smile on my face.

"I've got a few pinch marks on my arm. In my engineering debrief yesterday with Shov (race engineer Andrew Shovlin), we were running through everything and I lent over and I pinched his arm and he squealed like a girl.

"He said 'what was that for?' and I said 'Shov, I'm just making sure you're awake'. And then...I needed to make sure I was awake so I had to pinch myself as well.

"It's been such a memorable few days, such a rollercoaster of emotions just even over this weekend. Forget the season, just this weekend," the Briton was quoted as saying by Reuters.

The newly-crowned world champion said he just wanted time to enjoy his achievement after having spent some 45 minutes at Brawn's post-race party.

"I think most drivers when they have the possibility of winning the world championship, they go crazy," added Button, wearing a t-shirt with the message 'What goes around comes around.'

"They go out and have an absolutely crazy evening. But we all celebrate in different ways and for me to just chill on my own was the best thing for me.

"I obviously wanted to go out and congratulate the whole team, which I did, and then I got home and just relaxed and just took everything in. It was perfect.

"It was great to see all the guys, they were on top form but it was a bit hectic for me. It was just so full on...I wanted a bit of alone time."

He added: "It's always difficult in a nightclub to speak to people because it's so loud and there's so much going on.

"Everyone's celebrating but you can't feel the emotion together. Wednesday will be the time when I see everyone that's put this together and made this happen and that will be the special time for me."

Button's father: Title feeling surreal


Source: www.autosport.com

By Jonathan Noble

Jenson Button's father John says his world championship success has left him with a totally surreal feeling following a winter when they did not even know if they would be in Formula 1 this year.

Button clinched his maiden title at the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday to mark what he believed was a fairytale success for Brawn - whose future in the sport was in doubt when parent company Honda pulled out of the sport last December.

And his father John said he was struggling to fully comprehend the events of the weekend – as Button clinched the title with one race of the season to go.

"It doesn't seem real at the moment," he told AUTOSPORT. "It was very emotional obviously in the last few laps when I realised it was going to happen, but now it has all gone. It is really weird. It is really strange.

"I don't know what is around the corner, what happens when we walk through that door now? I don't know what is on the other side now that he is world champion. It is going to be really weird because he is just my boy, end of story."

Button admitted that the trials of the winter following Honda's decision to quit F1 had been harder for him to deal with than Jenson.

"Well the winter was terrible," he said. "In front of Jenson I was really positive, but away from him I feared it would all be over now. But he was still young, and I thought: what am I going to do with him? All he knows is racing.

"But he had the faith all the way through. I just could not get it, but he was right. It worked out – and he jumped in a little devil in Barcelona for the first test. He got out of the car after six laps and went: 'wow Dad'. And here we are. It is not right is it? This is not what happens in F1."

John Button, who has helped guide his son's career from karting all the way through to F1, says he has never seen him happier than post-race in Brazil.

"I've never known him like it," he said. "I saw him in parc ferme before he came out, I gave him a squeeze and he locked onto me like a limpet. I could not get him off. It was unbelievable. He was screaming and crying: 'I am world champion'. That is all it was. No other words at all."

And John believes that Jenson will be far more relaxed when he hits the track in Abu Dhabi having sealed the title already.

"Yeah, that will be a great race. I spoke to Niki Lauda after the race. He said people do not know how hard it is to win the first world championship, and they change – because they have done it and they have proved that they can do it. It will make a difference.

"Jenson is a world champion forever, not just for one year, and he will be in the history books, which is what I wanted."

Button: Brawn deserves a medal


Source: www.autosport.com

By Jamie O'Leary and Jonathan Noble

Ross Brawn "deserves a medal" for guiding Jenson Button to the Formula 1 world title at the Brazilian Grand Prix, according to the newly-crowned Briton.

Button was crowned champion with fifth place while his Brawn team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel could not manage the podium positions they needed to take the title fight down to the final round in Abu Dhabi.

With Brawn also becoming the first team to win the constructors' world title in its maiden season, Button paid tribute to his boss.

"This team would not exist if Ross was not here," said Button. "The car has his name on the side of the car, and that is a lot pressure on a person. So for him to win today both the constructors and the drivers championship is exceptional.

"The guy deserves a medal. He has won many world championships and he has also seen tough seasons. He has been in every situation, he knows that normally winning the world championship is not easy and you have many dark days. He has been helpful. I don't think anyone could have done it without him."

Button, who has won six races so far this year, paid tribute to the rest of the Brawn team, which didn't even exist until a month before the season-opener in Australia.

He believes that winning both world titles after the uncertainties over the sale of the Honda team during the winter, has made this year's season the best in F1 history.

"This team has done staggeringly well, what this team achieved this season after the winter we had is exceptional. I don't really think there has been a season like it in Formula 1," he added.

Schumacher praises champion Button


Source: www.autosport.com

By Jonathan Noble

Michael Schumacher says he has total respect for the way that Jenson Button and Ross Brawn won the world championships this year.

Although the German would have preferred the title fight to go all the way to the last race of the season, Schumacher thinks that the championship was totally deserved.

"The fight for the world championship titles is over already one race prior to the finale," wrote Schumacher on his website.

"As a fan of F1 I would have wished for a decision at the last race obviously, but on the other side I know from my own experience that being involved you have a different view on that.

"Congratulations to Jenson and Ross and the whole team - what they managed to achieve this year has my full respect.

"I grant them the titles because if you only look at what they have been through you realise what an incredible story this is: just one year ago they did think everything is over. I am extremely happy for Ross who I know since such a long time now, he deserves this success."

Schumacher also thinks that Button's title rival Sebastian Vettel will remain a potent force in the future - despite seeing his championship ambitions end in Brazil.

"What a pity obviously for Sebastian, but he still has a lot of time. He had a fantastic "season and showed that he has everything to become world champion. He must not forget that with all the disappointment now.

"Of course he will see that differently at the moment and will need some days to digest this weekend. But I am sure we will see and hear a lot of good stuff from him in the future."

Jumat, 16 Oktober 2009

Thursday's press conference – Brazil


Source: www.autosport.com

PRESS CONFERENCE

Q. Gentlemen, first of all questions to you all. Are there any particular preparations you have made for this race? Who would like to start? Sebastian. You have prayed for rain obviously.

Sebastian VETTEL: Yes, successfully today. No, we will see. Nothing special really. I have been here a couple of times and I like the circuit. It is up and down but preparation-wise nothing special.

Q. Jenson?

Jenson BUTTON: Not really. I've been spending a few days in the sun which is quite nice before coming here. I arrived here on Tuesday to get used to the time zone but it is really strange with the weather. Tuesday it was cold, yesterday it was really hot and today it is raining. It is very up and down with the conditions and it is going to be the same for the weekend. There is a very good chance of rain but also there is the possibility of it being dry, so it's a tough one. It's the same for all of us and I am sure we will make the best out of every situation.

Q. Any particular efforts your team has been making or any modifications coming here?

JB: We have got a few changes which should help us here. It should help us around a circuit like this quite a bit. I don't know if you've noticed but in Suzuka we were very quick in sectors two and three. In qualifying I was actually purple but the first sector we struggled massively. Mid-speed changes of direction we really struggled and that's where we lost all of our time in Suzuka. But the changes that we have got for this race should help out a little bit but also the areas that are crucial on this type of circuit should be a good step forward.

Q. All of you have got races that you look back at and think 'if only such and such hadn't happened'. Do you do that as the championship gets tighter and tighter?

JB: I think it is the same for all of us. That's the way it is over a 17 race season. There are races which you are very happy with and other races which you are not. As Sebastian said it is all in the past and it is about making the most out of the next two races. There are the most important two races for all three of us this season and I am coming into this race looking forward to it. This is a circuit I enjoy. After here we have Abu Dhabi which is new for all of us, so it is going to be a challenge. But there is no point looking back. Mentally I don't think it is good looking back. I think it is better to look forward and that is exactly what I am doing.

Q. Jenson, has it been car confidence? Has it been this change mid-corner or has it been starting behind Rubens? What has been the problem over the last few races?

JB: The last race was obviously difficult because of the starting position and the mistake on Saturday with the yellow flags and in Singapore the qualifying was difficult. We were trying to find the maximum from the car but we went a little bit too far and the car was running a bit low and I hit the brakes and locked up. But the race pace has been very good. I think I have got the most out of the car, what there has been to take in the races and the pace has been good especially in Singapore. But it is always very difficult when you are starting far back. It is very difficult to overtake these days in F1 and every opportunity there is to make a move I have made this season. But starting where I did made it very difficult for me to pick up good points. But the couple of races before that I was happy with the car, I was happy with the balance and the results were reasonably good, so coming into the last two I am reasonably positive. I have a good feeling with the car and our upgrades should help us quite a bit. We will see what happens. Sebastian is saying the pressure is on us. I don't think that is quite the case. It is the same for all of us. We are all excited about the next two races. It means a lot to us for sure. We are all fighting for the championship. It is the first time I have been fighting for a championship in F1, same for Sebastian and maybe the same for Rubens, so it is an exciting situation to be in but I am the one that has got the lead.

Q. You are team-mates but at the same time rivals with Rubens. Here you are in his backyard with tens of thousands of his closest friends. Aren't you going to be the villain as it were here?

JB: No, I don't think so. If we were people that didn't get on and we hated each other's guts I think it would be a very different situation. We have worked well over the last four years we have been working together and this year is no exception. Rubens beat me in Silverstone, in my home country, and I would like to do the same to him here. It is a nice feeling when you get beaten by your team-mate in your own country.

RB: Not.

JB: But I think they understand the situation and we are all fighting for something that is far greater than we have achieved in the past. I think they will respect that.

Q. (Joris Fioriti – AFP) Jenson, do you think you would have been able to control the season this way five years ago – in other words is it thanks to your maturity or your experience that now you have been able to be in such a good position?

JB: It's always a difficult question to answer because I wasn't in this situation five years ago. In 2004, we had a pretty good season with BAR. We were the best of the rest after the Ferraris. In that situation, we had nothing to lose for sure, but the consistency was very good then. I think I got ten or eleven podiums back in '04, actually more than I've got this year so far. But for sure it was a very different situation, because, as I said, I had nothing to lose. I could really go all out because I knew there was no real chance of taking the championship, we could be very aggressive in every race. It's difficult to know if I would have been the same five years ago. Nobody really knows. I think that people are at their peak at different points in their career. Lewis won the World Championship in his second year in Formula One which you wouldn't think most drivers could do, so it's your experience through other formulae and the situation that every single person is in is different. For me, this feels like the right time, for sure, but I'm going to say that...

Q. (MC) You talked about aggression and caution just there; how much has that balance changed this year from the start to now, given the situation?

JB: I think it's when you've got a reasonable lead, you think that you need to be a little bit cautious in certain situations. I think you need to have a balance. For sure you can't just drive round waving people past, hoping that you're not going to crash. There has to be a balance there and I think that normally with racing there is anyway, none of us want to crash at turn one, we all want to get through and have a good result, but it's just making sure that you're not doing anything stupid and maybe a little bit out of character. It's nothing extreme, it's just different than maybe I would have thought five or six years ago.

Q. (MC) But have you been aware of that balance changing throughout this season, as it's progressed?

JB: Probably a little bit more, I think, when you get a bigger lead, I think it changes a little bit. It's not suddenly night and day, it's the smallest of margins, but as I've shown in a few races of late that I'm not just going to sit back and hope for the best result. For example Monza with Heikki (Kovalainen), with (Robert) Kubica at the last race. You need to make the moves when you can and that's exactly what I've been doing.

Q. (Livio Oricchio – O Estado de Sao Paulo) Jenson, do you feel anything different in yourself when you wake up and know that this weekend you can be World Champion, and, if it's easier to control your emotions when you are inside the cockpit?

JB: Well, I woke up very happy this morning. I had some pretty good dreams. So I woke up with a smile on my face, sweating, yes. No, I woke up happy and looking forward to the weekend. I don't think it adds to pressure, knowing that you could win the World Championship that weekend. I think it adds to the excitement, for sure. It's not a negative, it's a positive. I'm excited about the weekend, as I'm sure these two are. Inside the car? I don't know. I haven't got in it yet. On the way in, I didn't have any unusual excitement, but we'll see tomorrow. The exciting thing about this weekend is the weather: it could be wet, it could be dry, so it's going to be important to make the right decisions over the weekend and not make it too complicated.

Q. (Alan Baldwin – Reuters) If I could just ask Rubens and Jenson: leaving aside your own personal battle, it looks almost inevitable that you're going to win the Constructors' Championship this weekend. I wonder if you could just say a few words on just how extraordinary that is for a team in its first season, given what happened in January and February.

JB: It's an amazing story and it is a Hollywood movie, for sure. If it happens. It's not a hundred percent yet. I would like to say that it is but it's not. Taking us out of it, not talking about ourselves, I think the team has been through a lot this winter and it's not just whether they could compete in Formula One, it's whether they had a job that could pay for their kids' school and what have you. It was a very difficult situation for them over the winter and I think a lot of them found it very tough but they had good leadership and that's what counted and it gave them hope and it gave them a positive outlook for the future. In the end, we got the deal done and we were able to come racing. I think when everyone saw the car drive for the first time in Barcelona they were very surprised by the pace of the car. They had obviously worked very, very hard over the winter but nothing went wrong. Everything that could have gone wrong didn't. It was perfect, a perfect test. The bodywork – everything fitted together just so nicely, there was no burning bodywork after the first running in practice, the reliability of everything, it was just a perfect first test and you don't get those tests unless the season is going to be good. So if we come away with the Constructors' Championship this season in the first year of Brawn GP, I know it's not a completely new team and there are a lot of very experienced people in the team, but it will be a very emotional moment for everyone, as it was in Australia when we finished one-two. It's the first time I've seen Ross (Brawn) speechless and if it is going to happen here or in Abu Dhabi I think it will the same situation. Ross has achieved so much in this sport, but to win a championship with his own team is far greater than what he's achieved in the past, I think. And that goes for everyone within the team. They've worked so hard with this team, whatever its name was in the past, they've worked very, very hard and they deserve whatever we achieve this season.

Q. (Sarah Holt – BBC Sport) Similar question to Alan's: you were talking about the team effort from Brawn, and in that sense, Jenson, would you be able to comment if the title went to Rubens, and Rubens, if it went to Jenson would you able to comment on why it would be deserving, because you guys have both been battling for a long time and I guess both of you would like to win the title?

JB: Wow, that's an interesting question. If Rubens won the championship I would absolutely hate him! We come here for one thing only and that's to win the World Championship. That's our aim in life since we were an eight year old kid or even younger. Your aim is to be the best and to win a championship in Formula One over a season. That's what we're all here to do. We are working well together and I think we're good friends, aren't we?

RB: Yeah, just here.

JB: Just a little bit. But you come here to win with very competitive people, and if Rubens won I would be very disappointed, for sure. But I would also respect the fact that he did a better job over the 17 races and I would also respect the fact that he's worked as hard as I have or maybe harder in that case and he's the better driver over those 17 races.

RB: I think it makes the situation a bit more comfortable because, like Jenson said, we haven't won the Constructors' just yet but I believe that it's very, very close and it should be done, and hopefully this weekend. And by doing that, we have this feeling that we've both worked for that, and it's what we're giving to the team and the team gave us. So in the other championship, we just have to work for ourselves to win, like Jenson said, we don't want to lose the chance. I feel that particularly it's my very first chance, that I really have the chance to… it was put this way, somebody gave me the chance to go for the title and win myself. So for me it feels comfortable that we are working hard to beat each other, but it's comfortable for the fact that we both work very well together for the Constructors, so the team should be very happy and proud with that.

Kamis, 15 Oktober 2009

Coulthard: Button title would boost F1



Source : www.autosport.com
By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer

David Coulthard believes Jenson Button would be the best ambassador for the sport if he manages to hang on and win the world championship - but warned that his compatriot could not be confident of the title yet.

Button can wrap up the championship in Brazil this weekend if he finishes in the top three, or if rivals Rubens Barrichello and Sebastian Vettel fail to out-score him on the day by five and seven points respectively.

Coulthard suspects that Button has enough of a lead to clinch his first title, and despite his close relationship with Barrichello, the Scot thinks Button would fulfil the champion's role well.

"Jenson should do it," Coulthard told reporters in Brazil. "Rubens is a friend and I've known him for years and it would be fantastic for him if he won the championship but if you think selfishly about the sport, Jenson would be better for the sport.

"Younger [has] got a better image. The sport needs good ambassadors just now. He has not made a lot of mistakes this year."

But Coulthard thinks Barrichello has a good chance of keeping the championship battle alive beyond Interlagos given his strong form at his home track.

"In Brazil I'd put my money on Rubens," said Coulthard. "It's his home track, he's had Stewarts Grand Prix cars on the front two rows there and always gone well there. I'd be amazed if he doesn't ace it there.

"I really don't know how to call it. You've got to imagine Jenson is going to hold on and get across the line but if he bins it in Brazil and Rubens wins it, suddenly he's down to a four point lead and it would be terrible to imagine he lost it after everything that's happened this year, but he could.

"You've only got to remember back two years when Kimi [Raikkonen] came back from 17 points down."

Coulthard has remained involved with the Red Bull team since retiring from the cockpit at the end of last year, but thinks the title might now be a long shot for his squad.

"If it goes to the wire you would have to say Brawn possibly have more of an advantage than a Red Bull," he said.

"But Red Bull had a development for Singapore. Had Sebastian not had the pitlane speeding penalty - where he didn't speed it was to do with the line he took through the corner - he would have won. Lewis [Hamilton] won it fair and square on the day, but he didn't have the quickest car.

"As for Brazil, I see that being more a Brawn type circuit than for Red Bull, but it has been so close this year, it's really difficult to tell."

Brazil preview quotes: Brawn


Source : www.autosport.com

Ross Brawn, Team Principal: With the Constructors' and Drivers' Championships still to be decided, the Brazilian Grand Prix should be a fascinating and exciting weekend for the fans at the circuit and viewers around the world. Interlagos provides a great challenge for the teams and drivers with the high altitude location and the notoriously bumpy surface as two of the key considerations when setting up the cars for the weekend. The reduced atmospheric pressure causes a loss in engine power and aerodynamic performance while the cars have to run with an increased ride height to cope with the bumps which are particularly noticeable in the braking area for Turn 4, the Descida do Lago. Interlagos is a great venue and the lap is characterised by long straights with flowing left-hand corners and a twisty infield section. The changes in elevation give the circuit an almost three-dimensional feel and the electric atmosphere from the Brazilian fans always makes for a spectacular occasion. The weather has been known to play its part in races at Interlagos over the years so we will be keeping a close eye on the forecast for the weekend. Brazil will be an important race for the team and our drivers and we're looking forward to getting the track action underway."

Rubens Barrichello: "The Brazilian Grand Prix is always a special weekend for me and I am very proud of my home race. I was born very close to Interlagos and used to visit the circuit as a young boy and began my karting career there when I was six years old. I really enjoy having my family and friends around for the weekend and it's fantastic to race in front of the Brazilian fans and receive so much support over the weekend. The circuit has become almost like a second home to me over the years but it still retains a real sense of challenge. Our car should suit the layout of the track this year and you really need to have full confidence in your set-up to maximise the quick corners, the tight infield section and the bumpy surface. Interlagos has some great corners such as the Curva do Laranjinha and there are real overtaking opportunities into the S do Senna at the start of the lap and under braking for Descida do Lago at the end of the back straight. I will be giving it my all this weekend to achieve the best possible result here in Brazil and hope the fans enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing."

Jenson Button: "This year will be the first time for a while that we've been to Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix when it hasn't been the final race of the season but it's still going to be such an exciting weekend. There's always a great atmosphere at Interlagos and the Brazilian fans are so passionate about motor racing and particularly Formula One. Interlagos is quite an unusual circuit and it's an enjoyable challenge for the drivers. The anti-clockwise direction, changes in elevation and bumpy surface all keep your attention fully focused and the high-speed left-hand corners add an extra physical challenge. It's an important race for me and for the team in terms of the Championships and we will be working hard to get the best results possible from the weekend. It's going to be a challenge but one that we are all looking forward to."

Peran Sang Dewi


pic taken from : www.theage.com

Sepanjang perjalanan hidupku yang mungkin belum seberapa ini, ada banyak hal yang membuatku merasa benar-benar hidup. Salah satunya adalah Formula One. Meski waktu itu belum ada stasiun teve yang menayangkan balapan F1 tapi aku selalu mengikuti perkembangan F1 hanya dari surat kabar. Dan yang pertama kali membuatku jatuh hati pada F1 adalah Michael Schumacher. Itulah sebabnya aku menjadi fans cinta matinya Schumi.

Kala itu aku sudah terpikat dengan semangat Schumi dalam merebut gelar dunianya. Waktu itu sekitar tahun 1998 saat Michael dan Mika bersaing sengit memperebutkan gelar juara dunia. Awalnya memang bukan berita tentang F1 yang memikatku tapi ekspresi Schumi yang mengernyitkan kening sambil memperhatikan data telemetri di tangannya sementara di bawah gambar dirinya itu tertulis mengenai jagoan Ferrari itu yang tengah berjuang merebut mahkotanya yang lepas dari kepalanya sejak tahun 1995 di Benetton. Segera saja kulahap berita yang tertuang di media itu. Saat itu aku mulai merasa kagum pada semangat pantang menyerah Schumi dan kesungguhannya dalam meraih mimpinya.

Beberapa waktu kemudian kembali ada berita tentang Schumi dengan gambarnya yang penuh emosi pada David Coulthard, rekan setim Mika Hakkinen yang telah memblokir jalan Schumi demi memberikan kemenangan bagi Mika. Segera saja simpatiku pada Schumi semakin tinggi.

Semakin banyak aku membaca mengenai Schumi, semakin rasa kagumku pada sosok manusia yang satu ini membuncah. Bagiku, Schumi memang seorang manusia, tapi ia bukanlah manusia seperti kebanyakan, ia merupakan sosok manusia yang sangat istimewa. Bahkan ketika ia dicerca karena beberapa tindakan yang dianggap beberapa pihak tak terpuji, tak pernah mengurangi kekagumanku padanya. Bukankah memang tiada ada manusia yang sempurna? Namun kesempurnaan tekadlah yang membentuk Schumi menjadi istimewa dan berbeda dengan manusia lainnya. Tekadnya yang membara, tak kenal menyerah, spontanitasnya, dan seluruh ekspresinya di podium, menunjukkan bahwa ia memang sebuah pribadi yang teramat istimewa. Manusia setengah dewa, bila boleh kupinjam kalimat dari salah satu lagu milik Iwan Fals untuk menggambarkan sosok seorang Michael Schumacher.

Tentu saja sebagai fans cinta matinya Schumi, aku benar-benar patah hati ketika Schumi pensiun dari F1, terlebih ia harus pensiun tanpa berhasil meraih gelar dunia kedelapannya yang sebenarnya sudah di depan matanya tapi harus pupus bukan karena ketidakmampuannya, tapi ia harus menyerah kalah pada apa yang disebut takdir.

Sepanjang karirnya di F1, Schumi pastinya sangat paham betapa berartinya peran sang dewi fortuna. Ia pernah merasakan kemurahan hati sang dewi tapi tak jarang pula ia merasakan pahitnya ditinggalkan sang dewi. Namun sayangnya, di ujung karirnya, saat harapannya kembali membuncah tatkala gelar dunianya yang terlepas dari tangannya pada tahun 2005 hampir berhasil diraihnya kembali setelah ia memenangi GP China 2006 sehingga membuatnya berhasil menggeser posisi Fernando Alonso dari puncak klasemen. Saat itu tinggal dua GP tersisa. GP Jepang dan GP Brazil.

Schumi memiliki semua paket yang bisa membuatnya meraih gelar kedelapannya itu sebelum ia menyepi dari hingar bingar dunia F1 seperti Alain Prost yang membawa gelar keempatnya, gelar terakhirnya yang mampu diraihnya sebelum ia memutuskan untuk berhenti dari panggung F1.

Tapi sayang seribu sayang. Dengan kemenangan Schumi di GP China, seluruh kubu Ferrari, Schumi, dan segenap fans cinta matinya Schumi tentu saja menatap GP Jepang seminggu berikutnya dengan optimisme yang tinggi terlebih sirkuit Suzuka kerap menjadi penolong Schumi, berbagai spekulasi pun segera memastikan bahwa gelar kedelapan Schumi sudah berada di tangan. Namun ternyata sirkuit Suzuka yang biasanya bersikap baik pada Schumi kali ini malah berbalik memusuhinya. Schumi malah harus mengakhiri balapannya lebih cepat selepas pit stop keduanya, padahal saat itu ia tengah memimpin balapan semenatara Alonso tersenyum puas melihat nasib apes yang menimpa sang mega bintang. Gelar kedelapan Michael yang di depan mata pun segera terbang tinggi tak tergapai oleh sang juara dunia tujuh kali itu.

Dewi Fortuna, itulah yang akan menentukan nasib ketiga calon juara dunia tahun ini. Bisa dibilang selama tiga tahun terakhir ini sang dewi fortuna sepertinya tengah senang bermain-main dengan harapan para calon-calon kuat juara dunia. Tahun 2006, seorang Michael Schumacher harus bertekuk lutut pada sang dewi yang telah memalingkan wajahnya dari manusia setengah dewa ini dan mengalihkan hatinya pada seorang anak manusia dari negeri matador.


Setahun setelahnya, giliran sang debutan, Lewis Hamilton yang harus merasakan pahitnya ditinggalkan dewi Fortuna setelah ia merasa yakin dan mantap dengan posisinya di puncak klasemen, tapi, bintang baru Ferrari, Kimi Raikkonen yang dipisahkan tujuh belas poin darinya tiba-tiba saja melesat meraih gelar dunia yang sudah berada di depan matanya itu. Dan tahun lalu yang masih segar dalam ingatan, Felipe Massa yang harus merasakan perasaan ambigu yang menyiksanya.

Di hadapan para pendukungnya, di balapan pamungkas, balapan penentuan baginya dan Lewis Hamilton untuk menentukan siapa yang berhak menyandang juara dunia baru. Sepanjang balapan Massa sudah mendominasi sementara Lewis harus tertatih-tatih, padahal ia hanya perlu finish di tempat kelima untuk memastikan gelar dunia menjadi miliknya. Mungkin pada detik-detik terakhir menjelang berakhirnya balapan, Lewis sudah mempersiapkan hatinya untuk merelakan kembali mimpinya yang kembali gagal diraihnya meski ia berharap sebuah mujizat akan terjadi. Dan ternyata mujizat itu sungguh-sungguh tercipta. Hanya dalam hitungan detik, semua perhitungan yang telah matang tiba-tiba saja berbalik. Sang dewi fortuna kala itu sepertinya mendua antara Massa dan Hamilton. Ia memberikan kemenangan pada Massa di depan publiknya sendiri, tapi gelar dunia diberikannya pada Hamilton dengan meminjam Glock sebagai penentu di antara kedua pembalap ini. Hamilton pun melibas garis finish di tempat kelima, posisi yang dibutuhkannya untuk menyabet gelar juara dunianya yang tertunda. Sementara tempik sorak di kubu Massa ketika Ferrari the Brazilian ini menjadi yang pertama melewati kibaran chequered flag dalam sekejap berubah menjadi duka mendalam setelah menyadari bahwa gelar Massa lepas hanya dalam hitungan waktu sepersekian detik saja. Saat itu entah apa yang layak disandangkan pada Massa. Winner or looser ...?

Tahun ini, sepertinya sang dewi fortuna masih akan memainkan peranannya terlebih dengan dua seri yang tersisa dengan ketegangan yang memuncak di antara ketiga calon juara dunia.

Mungkin yang membaca tulisanku sudah bosan atau malah sampai muntah-muntah karena aku selalu saja menulis tentang Jenson Button. Seorang teman dekatku malah sampai berkomentar bahwa bisa-bisa yang membaca Pojok Sore-ku merasakan dejavu karena aku selalu menulis tentang Jenson. Aku tertawa mendengar ucapannya seraya menukas bahwa aku memang ingin mendoktrin setiap orang yang membaca tulisanku agar menyukai Jenson dan sama-sama memberikan dukungan dan doa agar Jenson berhasil meraih gelar juara dunia pertamanya tahun ini.

Jika Michael Schumacher yang membuatku jatuh cinta untuk pertama kalinya pada F1, maka Jenson Button adalah orang yang membuatku pulih dari patah hatiku setelah Schumi pensiun dan Jenson lah yang membuatku kembali jatuh cinta pada F1. Jadi seperti aku menjadi fans cinta matinya Schumi, maka kali ini pun aku akan menjadi fans cinta matinya Jenson. Dan dengan dua seri yang tersisa tak salah bila aku sungguh-sungguh berharap gelar dunia Jenson yang telah berada di depan matanya tak terbang meninggalkannya seperti yang terjadi pada Michael dan Felipe.

Bila melihat penampilan Jenson yang berbanding terbalik dengan keperkasaannya di awal musim, tentu saja rasanya sulit bagi Jenson mempertahankan kepemimpinannya di klasemen dan bisa saja di ujung musim, gelar dunia yang di depan matanya terbang meninggalkannya, ah, kuharap hal itu takkan terjadi. Bagaimanapun penampilan Jenson pada pertengahan hingga mendekati akhir musim ini, Jenson Button layak menjadi juara dunia. Mungkin yang dibutuhkan Jenson saat ini hanyalah ketenangan diri dan tetap fokus dalam membalap seraya terus mengasah skill balapannya menjadi sebuah paket sempurna sambil berharap sang dewi fortuna terpikat oleh segenap daya upaya yang dikerahkan pemuda dari Frome, Inggris ini.

Good Luck, Jense ...! May God bless you and I trully wish you're gonna be the World Champion this season. Hopefully ....
pic taken from : www.itn.co.uk

Schumacher: Todt will change the FIA


Source : www.autosport.com
By Matt Beer

Michael Schumacher has written an open letter to the FIA member clubs reiterating his support for Jean Todt in the FIA presidential election - and insisting that the former Ferrari team boss will implement major changes.

The seven times world champion said he was keen to tackle perceptions that the FIA under Todt would work in the same vein as under current president Max Mosley, who has endorsed Todt as his favoured successor, and that therefore Todt's rival Ari Vatanen was the candidate for those who sought a fresh era.

Schumacher is adamant that Todt is his own man and will make his own mark on the governing body.

"I know that there are some people who say that Jean's presidency would be a continuation of Max's leadership," he wrote.

"I can only tell these people that they do not know Jean. He has his own expert knowledge, his own agenda and his own leadership style. From my experience he will implement his plans for the FIA in his own way, as a team player."

Schumacher believes that the FIA does need to change under its new leader.

"Since I stopped driving in Formula 1, I have followed the sport very closely and have read a lot of stories which have done our sport much harm," said Schumacher.

"Having worked for the FIA and FIA Foundation on many projects for more than a decade, I may also claim that I am very familiar with the FIA.

"This is why I deeply feel it is time for some changes, but these changes must be managed carefully by someone as skillful as Jean who has formed the right team of people to on the one hand appreciate the great achievements of the FIA and on the other hand really make change happen."

He also feels that Todt will be a conciliatory president and will be willing to delegate power.

"His characteristics such as leadership, loyalty, commitment and knowledge are beyond question, but in my view his outstanding skill is the encouragement of teamwork. In my active racing days I have experienced his willingness to share and delegate to a great and successful extent," Schumacher said.

"In many conversations we have had recently I have understood how detailed and thoughtful Jean's policy programme is. I have also understood that he will bring about the many changes he is preparing for in his very own way: through building consensus with all of the many stakeholders; rather than through confrontation. He will work as part of a team of experts, for the benefit of the world of sport and mobility."

Todt lauds 'professionalism' over 'personal attacks'


Source : www.crash.net

Jean Todt has called for an end to 'personal attacks and false allegations' as his duel for the FIA Presidency with Ari Vatanen reaches fever pitch just nine days away from the pivotal vote – and revealed his confidence that the 'professionalism' of his camp will ultimately prevail.

The battle for the most powerful and influential post in international motor racing has been persistently dogged by bad blood and ill-feeling, with 1981 World Rally Champion Vatanen arguing that whilst his party would represent a transparent clean slate away from all the scandal and controversy that has bedevilled the governing body under its outgoing incumbent Max Mosley, the election of Todt would merely guarantee a continuation of the unpopular establishment.

Having expressed his public backing for Todt, however – in company with F1 commercial rights-holder Bernie Ecclestone and a number of other high-profile figures within the sport – Mosley went on to launch an extraordinarily stinging attack on Vatanen, warning him in a letter that he would 'lose and lose badly' for having chosen to 'denigrate the FIA and those currently in office rather than run a constructive and civilised campaign', and threatening any member clubs that pledge their allegiance to the Finn with marginalisation under Todt's rule should the Frenchman get in [see separate story – click here].

Now, Todt himself has waded into the row, by way of a last-ditch assault on his fellow candidate in which he contends that the former MEP has focussed too much of his effort on destabilising political mud-slinging to the detriment of his attention to core policy matters.

“We would appeal to all FIA member clubs to concentrate on the real issues,” the contentious former Ferrari team principal wrote in a letter to them, “and we hope that the personal attacks and false allegations will stop. We will stick to our constructive and positive stance, we place the interest of the FIA at the core of everything we do and we are grateful for the strong endorsements we have received so far.

“We are confident that a majority of FIA clubs will recognise that our management skills and great professionalism provide the best option to meet the difficult challenges mobility and motorsport face in the future.”

Vatanen has garnered a significant degree of support in the Middle East and Africa for having spoken out about the 'disproportionate' decisions made by the governing body of late, and the succession of dubious 'question marks' posed by Mosley's 16-year regime.

The election for the next President of the FIA is due to take place in Paris on 23 October.

Button: Brazil a challenge I’m looking forward to


Source : www.crash.net

Brawn GP's Jenson Button looks to wrap up a maiden F1 title in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos

Jenson Button will hope to take a big step towards the F1 title this weekend as the Briton heads for Interlagos and the penultimate race of the season.

The Brawn GP ace remains the hot favourite for the title with a lead of 14 points going into the final two races of the campaign.

However, with team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel still in contention for the crown, Button goes into the weekend well aware that he can't afford to relax and the Briton admitted he was ready for the challenge of a vital weekend for the his title hopes.

"This year will be the first time for a while that we've been to Sao Paulo for the Brazilian Grand Prix when it hasn't been the final race of the season but it's still going to be such an exciting weekend,” he said. “There's always a great atmosphere at Interlagos and the Brazilian fans are so passionate about motor racing and particularly Formula One. Interlagos is quite an unusual circuit and it's an enjoyable challenge for the drivers.

“It's an important race for me and for the team in terms of the Championships and we will be working hard to get the best results possible from the weekend. It's going to be a challenge but one that we are all looking forward to."

Selasa, 13 Oktober 2009

Schumacher tells Vettel not to give up


Source: www.autosport.com

By Pablo Elizalde

Michael Schumacher is backing Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel in this year's championship fight, and has told his compatriot to remember that the battle "is not over until it's over".

Vettel, dominant winner of the last race in Japan, is currently 16 points behind championship leader Jenson Button with just 20 to play for.

Seven-time world champion Schumacher reckons Vettel should not give up on the title despite the odds being against him, and the former Ferrari driver said he will be rooting for him in the final races.

"This F1 season turned out to be extremely attractive again, and as probably all motorsport fans I am looking forward to seeing what will be happening in the last two races," said Schumacher on his website.

"Both championships are still open, and for me it is obviously important to see how the constructors' championship will end - of course I wish for our guys to defend their third position.

"I think it helps to think of a fact which I was always sticking to during my career: It is not over until it is over; you have to fight until the end. At Ferrari, we live that experience very successfully since many years, and I am convinced it will be like this again this time.

"Sebastian as well will probably share this view because he still has the chance to win the title. This alone is already a big success. I am sure he will make everything possible to show a good performance in the next two races. Mathematically everything is still possible, and I will keep my fingers crossed for him."

Senin, 12 Oktober 2009

Who will win the 2009 F1 World Championship?


Source : www.crash.net

With a 14-point advantage and needing to finish only third in this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix to seal the honours, Jenson Button would look to be the overwhelming favourite to clinch the 2009 F1 Drivers' World Championship trophy at Interlagos – but then if this season has taught us anything, it is to always expect the unexpected.

Button has led the title standings from the word 'go' in Melbourne all the way back in March, and on the surface holding 14 points in-hand over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello and 16 over Red Bull Racing threat Sebastian Vettel is ostensibly a comfortable margin. However, there are other statistics that suggest the British star's fans would do well to keep the celebrations on ice, for the time being at least.

Off the back of a stunning early run of six victories from the opening seven outings, Button has not now triumphed since the Turkish Grand Prix in Istanbul all the way back in early June, and indeed in the interceding eight races has ascended the rostrum on only one occasion full-stop. His points total for that period has been just 24, compared to 36 for the in-form Barrichello and 40 for Japanese Grand Prix-winner Vettel.

That means that, whilst he may refute such notions, the pressure is very much on the long-time championship leader, who appears to have tensed up since mid-season, and some fear may choke at the last. The Frome-born ace has not been helped by constant reminders that compatriot Lewis Hamilton surrendered an even greater advantage over the final two grands prix two years ago to miss out on the crown by a single marker to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen – also in Brazil – and the wealth of support Barrichello is likely to receive on home turf in São Paulo could be just the catalyst to spur the oldest and most experienced driver on the grid onto even greater heights.

As for Vettel, Red Bull expects the anti-clockwise Interlagos circuit to suit its Adrian Newey-penned RB5 well, meaning that – allied to the fact that the young German will receive the wholehearted support of team-mate Mark Webber following the collapse of the Australian's own title challenge – if Button wants to put the destiny of the laurels beyond all doubt this weekend, he will need to rediscover his early-season podium form. If not, the battle will go all the way down to the wire in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale a fortnight later – when the stakes will be at the highest they have been all year. As RBR team principal Christian Horner has contended, F1 fans are in for a thrilling psychological conclusion to the 2009 campaign...

So here's your chance to have your say...

Who will win the 2009 F1 World Championship?

Kamis, 08 Oktober 2009

A Point 2 Remind




Bad luck, mungkin itulah yang terjadi pada Jenson Button di GP Jepang kemarin, alih-alih mengunci gelarnya di sirkuit Suzuka, ia malah harus berjuang mati-matian meraih lima poin, jumlah minimal yang diperlukannya untuk memastikannya sebagai new F1 World Champion menyusul kesuksesan rekan senegaranya, Lewis Hamilton yang menyabet gelar juara dunianya tahun lalu lewat adegan yang sangat menegangkan dan mengharu biru untuk Felipe Massa, kompetitor terdekatnya tahun lalu yang tahun ini mesti absen sejak ia mengalami kecelakaan di GP Hungaria.

Sesi kualifikasi GP Jepang sendiri telah memperlihatkan moment yang tak biasa. Red Flag sampai tiga kali dikibarkan. Dua kali pada Q2, mula-mula Toro Rosso Alguersuari yang bermasalah lalu beberapa detik kemudian setelah sesi kualifikasi kembali dibuka, Toyota Glock yang kini menabrak barrier sampai-sampai ia mengalami cedera kaki dan harus dilarikan ke rumah sakit, bahkan di race, Glock yang hadir di garasi timnya memperlihatkan kakinya yang di gips ke arah kamera yang tengah menyorotnya.

Setelah dua bendera merah di Q2, ternyata bendera merah ingin kembali berkibar di Q3. Kali ini McLaren Mercedes Kovalainen yang menabrak barrier sehingga lagi-lagi sesi kualifikasi terpaksa dihentikan sementara.

Nah, apesnya Jenson Button dimulai pada saat bendera kuning dikibarkan setelah terjadi kecelakaan itu. Sebenarnya bukan hanya Jenson saja yang mengalami nasib buruk itu. Rekan setimnya Rubens Barrichello, Adrian Sutil, dan Fernando Alonso pun terkena apes terkena penalti karena tak mengurangi kecepatan saat bendera kuning dikibarkan sehingga mereka harus pasrah saja dihukum turun beberapa posisi dari hasil kualifikasi mereka. Hanya saja Rubens masih jauh lebih beruntung karena hanya diturunkan satu posisi dari hasil perolehannya saat kualifikasi di tempat kelima ke posisi grid keenam. Sementara Jenson Button harus diturunkan tiga posisi dan harus memulai start di tempat ke-10.

Balapan Jenson di GP Jepang pun tak bisa dibilang cemerlang. Selepas start ia harus berjuang mati-matian menyusul Rubens yang berhasil memperbaiki posisi startnya. Namun untungnya The Briton selalu menjaga ritme balapannya sambil terus waspada mencari setiap peluang yang dapat membuatnya meraih posisi yang lebih baik. Dan kesempatan itu ternyata segera datang ketika ia tengah membuntuti Sutil yang tengah bertarung dengan Kovalainen meraih tempat kedelapan demi meraih satu poin yang tersisa. Sutil sudah hampir berhasil menyalip Kova namun ternyata rekan setim Lewis Hamilton itu tak rela begitu saja memberikan posisinya pada pembalap andalan Force India selepas Giancarlo ke Ferrari, akibatnya saat mereka bersisian, mobil mereka malah saling bersinggungan, Force India Sutil melintir begitu pun dengan Kova, Jenson tentu saja tak menyia-nyiakan kesempatan yang satu itu, maka ia pun segera melesat menuju tempat kedelapan, sedikit lebih dekat menuju mobil rekan setimnya yang sudah lebih jauh di depannya.

Perolehan satu poin Jenson Button memang bisa dibilang mengecewakan, tapi apa yang telah diperlihatkannya, perjuangan tanpa henti yang ditunjukkannya memperlihatkan bahwa Jenson sungguh-sungguh serius dalam merebut gelar dunia pertamanya ini. Ia memang mengalami nasib tak sebaik di race-race pada awal musim tapi ia tak pernah menyerah dan terus berusaha meraih meski itu hanya satu poin, karena setiap poin pastinya sangat bernilai bagi seorang juara dunia.

Enam tahun lalu, juga di Suzuka, Jepang. Michael Schumacher pun harus berjuang meraih satu poin untuk memastikan gelar keenamnya. Balapan Michael saat itu bisa dibilang tak terlalu baik seperti yang dialami Jenson kemarin. Namun saat itu Michael diuntungkan karena ia hanya perlu meraih satu poin saja untuk memastikannya meraih gelar dunia keenamnya. Keuntungan kedua, rekan setimnya, Rubens Barrichello sebenarnya telah cukup membantunya dengan menghambat laju pesaing terdekat Michael saat itu, Kimi Raikkonen yang saat itu membela McLaren Mercedes. Tapi seorang Michael Schumacher tak pernah menyerahkan nasibnya pada orang lain. Meski rekan setimnya telah memastikan gelar itu untuknya tapi tetap saja Michael berjuang meraih satu poin, jumlah yang diperlukannya untuk mengunci gelarnya. Dan Michael berhasil! Satu poin yang kemudian sangat berarti baginya. Satu poin yang diraihnya dengan susah payah. Satu poin yang memperlihatkan bahwa ia layak menjadi juara dunia sejati. Satu poin yang menandakan bahwa ia masih sangat perkasa meski musim yang dijalaninya tahun itu sangat sulit.

Dan seperti Michael Schumacher, The Briton pun tahu betapa pentingnya setiap poin demi meraih puncak tertinggi di jagad dunia F1. Satu poin yang diraih Jenson di GP Jepang kemarin memang terlalu kecil tapi mungkin saja satu poin itu ternyata memiliki nilai yang dapat membantunya meraih mimpinya, menjadi juara dunia! Good luck for you, Jense!