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[McLaren Fan]

From autosport.com:

Button targets title in 2009

By Glenn Freeman Saturday, January 12th 2008, 13:05 GMT

Jenson Button believes that Honda will be in a position to fight for the world championship in 2009.

The British driver believes Ross Brawn has already made an impact at the team in his short time there so far, and he is convinced that Honda will make big strides forward during this year.

"I'm so happy that we've got Ross," Button said on the main stage at the Autosport International show. "When he first walked into the team, there was the biggest round of applause I've ever seen.

"On his own he's not going to turn the team around, but I think that everyone is positive and doing a great job. He's fitted in quicker than everyone imagined, and the way of working in the team has changed a lot already.

"I think we'll be a lot closer to the front in 2008, and in 2009, we have to be fighting for the world championship. If we can get to that position with a good car, then this team will win the world championship. As a team, we are very very strong."

Button believes the squad will also benefit from their struggles in 2007, as it has led to big changes in the team.

"In a way, '07 was a good year for the team," he added. "It sounds stupid, but it was. If we'd had a reasonable year, we might have carried on in the direction we were going.

"But after such a bad year, we've realised we do need to change something, and we have done that now. I'm looking forward to the future with Honda."

I think Button is exaggerating just a little here. As he says, one man cannot work wonders. Whilst Honda will be a more organised outfit with Brawn there and his strategic mind will certainly pay dividends, I don't see Honda being able to mount a title challenge in 2009. I think Button is failing to appreciate there are other teams quite far ahead of Honda as it is and a lot of teams are on the way up. Race wins, maybe, realistic title contenders, I don't think so. His remarks are lip service for the highly pissed off Honda sponsors and bosses.

[piledriver]

Could be, why not. 2009 is far away and with Ross Brawn things can change rapidly imo.

[texasmr2]

Could be, why not. 2009 is far away and with Ross Brawn things can change rapidly imo.

I have to agree because we all know how quickly the tide's of change can happen in F1. It can be percieved as rather bosterious but without that kind of mindset one is doomed from the start. I dont personaly view it as arrogance but more as motivational.

[McLaren Fan]

The vicissitudes of fortune in Formula One are indeed unpredictable. Who would have expected Honda to have had such a poor 2007. For me, however, for Honda to win the title in 2009, you are relying on the likes of Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, BMW and others who, although not capable of winning a championship, could score decent points and podiums, to screw up.

[woody2goody]

I think, even without considering Brawn, Honda cannot surely build 2 shocking cars in a row.

Last year's car was decent and I'm sure they can return to consistent top 8 finishes in '08. But the competition is getting closer and with McLaren, Ferrari, BMW, Renault, Williams, RBR/STR to compete with, any team could struggle to score consistent points this year.

As for 2009, there's no reason why they can't mount a challenge. No one knows if McLaren and Ferrari will even be up there.

Button is a great driver and will do well without TC. Rubens can return to points scoring form if given the chance to do so.

[AKR]

Would be great to see Honda do better this year and be competitive in 2009. I would love for Ferrari to always win but the reality is that you cannot always win so someone else has to win. I would prefer that someone else to be anyone but McLaren, however if you go by the 2007 season the only 2 teams that could of won were Ferrari and McLaren so therefore if Honda (and anyone else for that matter) can just develop some race winning cars, then that would be just wonderful. All the best to Honda in 2008 then.

[McLaren Fan]

I think Schumacher said it correctly yesterday. From planetf1.com:

However, they won't be the only teams fighting for the honours in the near future as the seven-time World Champion reckons Ross Brawn has the ability to take Honda to the top.

Brawn, who won World titles with Schumacher at both Benetton and Ferrari, was signed as Honda's new team boss at the end of last year.

"Ross is the perfect man to make Honda come back in the right direction because he is very capable. But it will take time," Schumacher said.

Honda have the potential to be challengers but things aren't going to happen over night. The team and their fans will have to be patient.

[8-ball]

Honda should have a race winning car by 2009 but the question is about the drivers. Jenson is a good driver but i don't think he has what it takes to win a world title. kimi, Alonso etc in last years honda would have been further up the grid than Jenson managed to get it. im sure of that

[7UpJordan]

Button's going to end up sounding like Ralf at this rate.