Button hopes Vettel chokes
Friday 26th August 2011
Jenson Button is hoping Sebastian Vettel will crack under the pressure of leading this year's Formula One world championship.
Citing the example of last season, Button watched a re-run during the summer break of the title-deciding showdown in Abu Dhabi.
On that occasion, outsider Vettel took the chequered flag and with it the title, overhauling the 15-point lead held by Fernando Alonso who was odds-on favourite to claim his third crown.
If Button wanted to look closer to home - although it was not something he mentioned - McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton blew a 17-point lead in 2007 with two races to go at a time when 10 points were awarded for a win.
There are numerous other instances of drivers throwing it all away when they appeared to have the title in the bag.
However, it is hard to imagine Vettel doing so on this occasion, with team-mate Mark Webber, Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Button 85, 88, 89 and 100 points adrift respectively, with eight races remaining.
Stranger things have happened, though, as Button said: "It will be interesting to see his way of thinking over the next few races.
"He says he wants to go all out and win them all, which is great. That's exactly what we want, so hopefully that will be the case for the whole season.
"But whether you are just picking up points or going for wins, both attitudes can lead to mistakes. When it gets to you, we will see what happens.
"I watched the last race of last year on the tv the other day when Fernando led by 15 points before the start of that race, and he lost the championship to Sebastian.
"I was like 'wow!' It shows that when things are tough, or you are trying to hold a lead, it can be quite difficult if you think about it too much. So I don't know, we'll see."
Button, however, concedes his own hopes are remote as his 100-point cushion to Vettel is the equivalent of four race wins.
Victory last time out in Hungary, to perfectly celebrate the 200th grands prix of his career, has at least buoyed his spirits.
"For me to win the championship there is a very slim chance, but it's still a chance so I'll give it a go," added Button, ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix.
"But given our pace in the last couple of races we should be very happy with ourselves, and we bring that to this race.
"And if you're quick here then you are going to be quick in Monza (for the Italian Grand Prix next month) as well.
"So if you can pick up maximum points and gain points on Seb, that's two races done and six to go.
"I don't know, we'll see. I think he can be beaten, but it's going to be tough."
Credit: ESPN STAR (www.espnstar.com)
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