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[CookinFlat6]

Talk about needing a shotgun stock to put a out of its final misery

We all know now about Rons attitude toward vaseline, and we know what happened to the other 2 parties of the disturbing trinity that wrecked Rons 3 decades of work in 3 years, but isnt the chap possibly getting a bit harsh on the poor defenseless game?

McLaren announced Wednesday boss Ron Dennis has pushed back his self-imposed deadline to December 1 at the earliest.

Originally Dennis said he would make an announcement before Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

But as the F1 fraternity set up camp around Yas Marina came the news Button’s three-month wait will go on.

What seems beyond doubt is that one seat will be occupied by Fernando Alonso .

But Dennis has given himself extra time to decide whether the other will be filled by a world champion or McLaren’s speedy rookie racer, Kevin Magnussen.

At least there is one sliver of good news for Button – Mirror Sport understands that the only two drivers under consideration are McLaren’s current duo.

Nah, this behaviour is completely required for business purposes, to put the bejesus up the back of any driver who might think its still ok, to de-urinify McLaren like happened in the past few years

could turn ugly yet

[myownalias]

Maybe Ron does want Jenson over Kevin for his experience, but is playing this game in an attempt to get Jenson at a seriously reduced rate, sub $5m probably.

[CookinFlat6]

Good point. If Ron could get Jensons price down to a level it equates vs Mags ability to support Alonso without any politicking or drama, then I suspect he would easily park Mags for a year and exploit Jb for the next year.

But the amount would have to be sub 3 mill Id say, which is probably what Mags will be on if he performs. The amount therefore would be 'rookie with potential' and not 'WDC to help develop' or 'WDC could win another one'

And then we have Alonso, Ron will have his hands full wringing his moneys worth out of the former blackmailer, the last thing he will need is to be shelling out to a Button who could easily get the hump if he starts pulling his weight vs Alonso on 30x his wage, whereas Mags would just bite the pillow a bit harder a la Massa.

Yes if Jenson drops his knick...sorry, if he drops his price low enough he could keep the drive, but will he be able to keep it secret and be a Massa all season without handbags, especially if he knows its only a 1 years deal

Lets look at the facts - Honda are obviously not in the slightest bit interested in Jenson, let alone paying his wage as they will with Alonso, so Jensons wage would be from the Ron and the Bharainis, lets remember that the Bharainis were the ones who turned around and raised the offer for Lewis at the last moment and they are also the same guys who have let the guy they backed over Ron - the insidious TP who failed miserably and employed Button

Its an interesting one, I wish I could find someone interested in giving me some long odds on Button staying, like a fan of his who was interested in a 3-1 type deal.

[myownalias]

I don't think Jenson will stay, either by Ron's hand or his own decision to walk if a decision doesn't come before the end of this weekend. Would you not sign a deal for WEC rather than waiting around for Ron to make his mind up. I speculated about Ron's motive to drive down Button's cost, he tried it with Lewis and it backfired!

[CookinFlat6]

Yes I agree, Jenson in the years to come will probably realised he should have told Ron where to go, and gone out and found another drive. As it is jenson is setting himself up to be remembered by this undignified exit rather than his achievements. If he had quit himself and gone hill climbing or something he wants, everyone would think he was the JB that achieved something with his politicking

Instead he is likely to be remembered for the most protracted exit in F1 history ( I read a paper playing with that angle the other day) who got lucky once but got too big for his breaches with Frank Williams, Ross Brawn AND RON Denis ultimately getting a monster size humiliation that has put paid to any pretense or claim to having been any kind of top driver rather than a journey man

He would be mad to accept a wage 40, 30, 20 or even 10x less than Alonso who is the same age and entered F1 when he displaced Button at Benneton. Surely Jb realises that Ron aint gonna employ him in a month of Sundays except as a Massa on even less money than a former blackmailer who owes the team 100 mill before he should even get paid

So realistically, if Ron is employing Alonso its because he expects 100 mill + his wage payback, so thats 130 mill vs Buttons likely 1.3 mill wage

Now surely even Button doesnt think he is 130 times less useful to McLaren than the former blackmailer

Big mystery why he stuck around to be humiliated like this knowing Rons form with ex employees he even suspects did not bleed for Mclaren

[LiamCatterson]

Maybe Ron does want Jenson over Kevin for his experience, but is playing this game in an attempt to get Jenson at a seriously reduced rate, sub $5m probably.

You know when you're trying to figure out what to buy but may want to spend your money on something else and you're in a mental battle with choosing one or the other? That is Ron's mind picking Jenson or Kev...

[Jabberwocky]

How is this exit undignified?

[racechick]

I'd say it's a bit undignified because it gives the appearance that he's desperate. He's been vocal in the press and played the poor me card just a little too heavily.

[CookinFlat6]

Its undignified because this will be the first WDC who didnt leave F1 on his terms with choices available. Even Villeneuve had 'something better' to go to. Damon Hill left Williams, went to Arrows and proved himself as a credible F1 WDC. After that Jordan came. MS even came out of retirement with Merc and Ferrari chasing him.
Mika could have walked into any team when he left on his terms.

Its undignified for a WDC to have no options but to be strung along waiting for a judgement as to a rookies relative worth (a rookie = 1 years experience vs 15 years).

No teams offering a life line, no TPs saying Ill take him because his experience as a WDC is worth something

And Porsche, Audi and Toyota all saying their plan are made for next year, normally you would expect a WEC team to roll out the red carpet at any time at all were an F1 WDC be willing to flip over. No talk of Indy or Nascar, yet he publically tells everyone he wants to continue racing, he has lots to offer etc etc. Its becoming obvious that his interest is in the pay check and not the racing seat

Never mind, he couldnt have picked a better guy than Ron to try some game theory with, lets see how it works all round - anything could still happen

This is my opinion. Ron has already picked Mags over Jenson and Mags has been informed and reassured. Thats why we dont hear any moaning in any countries media about Mags
Honda have told Ron that no Alonso, Seb or Lewis is a deal breaker with consequences going forward
Ron prefers Lewis and has pitched him on Hondas amazing engine and progress etc just as he has with Alonso
Alonso is waiting for Lewis to go home to Ron (and the biggest salary in F1 history) and leave Merc with a spare seat
Until Lewis signs with Merc, Alonso is not willing to leave Ferrari (write off a pay off from them to leave)
Everyone is waiting on Lewis
Ron wont tell JB anything as he likes the surprise increase in performance while JB pitches for his job
Finally, Ron needs to show Honda, FW and other TPs and the drivers that McLaren are back to their old ruthless best

[Jabberwocky]

I don't think Lewis would leave Merc at the moment.

I don't think it is undignified of Jenson or Mag to want to know if they have a job for next year. Mclaren should make up their mind they are leaving the drivers in the learch almost as badly as STR did to Bueimi (spl) and algy

[racechick]

No Lewis won't leave, but I can see Cookie's point. As long as it remains theoretically possible , Alonso will hold out for it.
I don't think Mags has been undignified, he hasn't mentioned it as far as I know. Jens has, and he's drawn attention to the fact he has very few options.

[LRW]

Just watching the drivers parade.

As much as I think he should be gone from McLaren, I really felt bad for him today. It's a bit harsh that McLaren* have rid him of the experience of knowing, and celebrating his last race.

*ok I know it's not all one sided and Button could of made that choice himself. But it is mainly McLaren's fault.

[CookinFlat6]

He got whisked off the unemployemnt line, installed at Mclaren, given Lewis' engineers and data, given a 15 mill wage, given the focus of the entire engineering effort, and lead the team through 2 of their worst years ever

I'd say Button needs no pity whatsoever

live by the sword etc etc

[Hammer278]

A politician always knows when to look like a sad puppy when he needs to be.

[Nin-Chin]

Another solid race from JB.