What Does the Future Hold for Jenson Button?

As a massive Jenson Button and Honda fan, I have spent the last few weeks desperately searching the internet and magazines for information concerning the fate of the team I have loved since it’s beginnings.

For those of you who don’t know football this won’t make much sense, but bear with me… When Charlton Athletic were relegated in 2006, I had a strange feeling that their top striker Darren Bent would move to my team; Tottenham Hotspur.  He did, and for those of you unfamiliar with the British television show “I’m a celebrity, get me out of here” this won’t make much sense either…but again bear with me…I had a strange feeling before the current 2008 series that TV journalist Esther Ransen would be one of the celebrities…She was.  Now, here is the point I’m making…For some time I have had ‘that feeling’ that Jenson would inevitably end up at Torro Rosso for his 2009 campaign.

Whilst this would fulfil his life long dream of driving a Ferrari powered car (granted a black one and not a red one) I think the Brackly based team of Honda had the car that would provide my hero with a better chance in 2009.

So for a while I’ve been pretty down, but I was really pleased to read on the Autosport website that Jenson has said ‘Brackley or nothing for 2009’.  This added to the news from the BBC that the Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim is moving in on a January rescue, made my Christmas!

If this all goes through I will be ecstatic.  First my hero will have a drive for next year, second the team should have produced a car that will be competitive and third, a clean start would be welcome after the woes of 2007 and 2008.  Finally on a more personal note I would welcome the return of a sponsor branded livery (yes I’m a child of capitalism who prefers shiny sponsors to a big earth picture).  A serious positive to the return of sponsorship liveries would, of course mean the end of one primary fund supplier (like Honda had to be).

So all this is good news, but what if it all falls through? What then for Jenson Button?  Well I believe he would take 2009 out, work with DC for a bit at the BBC and chill out in Monaco.  I can’t see him going to the States for Indy or NASCAR.  There aren’t enough spaces in the WRC for the drivers of 2008, so I don’t think that would be an option either.  Finally I think Schumy has shown that four wheels to two isn’t always a good idea, so that rules Moto GP out too!

What about F1 2010? (if F1 still exists!).  I reckon Williams will always have a place for Jens if he wants it.  Maybe his popularity with Japanese fans could land him a drive for Toyota, but I don’t think that is likely.  McLaren? Would that really be a sensible move? I don’t think so.  Jenson would ironically become Rubens from his Ferrari days.  I think as long as Lewis dons the silver overalls no other driver will get a look in. 

Renault then? Another no, I think Flavio and Jenson did not get on during the Britons time at the French team, and again if Fernando stays put I can’t see the Renault number two getting much attention.  That leaves us with Red Bull, Toro Rosso, Force India, BMW and of course Ferrari.  I can see Mark Webber retiring pretty soon so arguably a 2010 drive for Red Bull could be a possibility. Toro Rosso and Force India are both options, but not for a driver who is still determined to be World Champion and running out of time. 

That leaves us with Ferrari and BMW.  By 2010, Kimi should be gone, leaving Massa, who if he hasn’t had a strong 2009 campaign might not be in a secure position.  The problem for Jenson is that I can see many other very strong contenders for the red race seat.  First, there’s Fernando Alonso, then Vettel, Kubica maybe even Glock?  Though I would love to see Jenson in Ferrari colours, I don’t think it’s going to happen.

I think BMW Sauber would probably be the sensible choice for Button, if it were offered.  Get rid of Nick Heidfeld, stick Jenson in either with Kubica, or if he’s gone a young new talent.  BMW would provide Jenson with probably his last chance for glory and arguably his best chance to end his career on a high note (which is what he deserves!).

Hopefully all of this will not matter and Jenson will excel next year for Force Mexico…or Team Telmex?  What ever happens, I think Jenson should be rewarded for his loyalty and that he should be given one last chance to prove himself as the great driver that he is.