Jenson Button: Team orders will not create much drama on tracks
2009 World Champion, Jenson Button foresees no dramatic effect on Formula 1 after Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile’s (FIA) decision of lifting ban from ‘team orders’. He believes that every team will not ask one of its drivers to play second fiddle,
rather such a situation will be witnessed rarely on the track.
After the controversial 1-2 finish of Ferrari at the German Grand Prix, ‘team order regulations’ remained a hot topic for the rest of the 2010 season. While some of the race analysts called team order a curse for the drivers, other experts believed the ban
was only a hypocritical rule of FIA, insisting that every team gives orders when required. They argued that since Formula 1 is a team sport, therefore, teams must be permitted to make decisions in their own interest.
After the year-long debate, FIA announced lifting ban from team orders at the end of the last season. However, many people in the sport, just like Button, reckon that the rule will not be practiced vividly.
While talking to the reporters the Briton stated, “I don't think it will happen, I really don't. If you are putting all your eggs in one basket, the other driver's not going to feel like giving you feedback, is he? He's not going to feel like pushing the
car to the limit.”
He further explained, "If I had a team I would have both drivers having a fair shot at it because they are going to push each other hard. I hope that drivers are allowed to race fairly. You do all this hard work of getting to Formula 1 and fighting your
way through the lower ranks and you arrive and you should be given fair treatment."
The driver shifted to McLaren last year, after embracing a victorious season with the Brawn GP team. Although, many considered his move a wrong one, the driver led a successful season, giving some spectacular races on the track while developing a good reputation
for him in the British squad.
His team-mate and 2008 champion, Lewis Hamilton has enjoyed a very dominating role in the team since his first season in the sport in 2007. Many thought Hamilton’s heroic character will over shadow Button, however, the latter not only cherished a healthy
relation with his team-mate but also claimed equal fan following and stardom.
Concluding his interview, the 31-year-old told the reporters earlier this week that he was happy with the position he enjoys in the McLaren team, which follows ‘no team orders’, and encourages both the world champions to fight for further world titles, providing
them with equal opportunities.
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