Do you think Button would of done as well as Montoya?

[AlteredGrizz]

I personaly think Button would always of been behind Ralf, So far Frank is looking pretty good, Button will find the season quite long and boring seeing the BMW's laping him.


Who will get the first win or first podium for Williams this year Juan or Ralf?

[Orange]

For the record, I am/was not bombarded by Button hype, so I am still able to like the guy... He had a really good year last season, and I think that he would be able to hold his own with Montoya... That having been said, I 'm still not convinced on Juan, and so my nod goes to Ralph for first Williams-BMW win... (and it will come this season, believe it!)

[Speed]

Originally posted by Orange
I 'm still not convinced on Juan...

Did you see the Australia GP ?, he was on the points when he left. But, anyways, if you're not convinced, just wait two or three more races and you'll be on the "Montoya's Fans Club" too.

Ok, now talking about AG's questions...
No, I don't think JB can do what Montoya can do on this Series. I can say this, because, I saw what Montoya did when was at CART, and let me tell you something, he was the best on the grid. Check Michigan 1999 GP (CART).

And the second question,
"Who will get the first win or first podium for Williams this year Juan or Ralf?"
That's a hard one, because Ralf knows these circuits better than Juan, so, logics says, Ralf. But, remember..., "when reality comes, logics gone."

[JoMiSaP]

Montoya has been fast right out of the box in every category he has raced on. Besides he has a lot more experience than JB.

Nevertheless I think that in the future we will see a championship or two decided between JB and Montoya.

If the two Williams had finished the race I´m sure they would have been in the podium in Brazil. Just think what a fantastic race we missed when Rubens hit Ralf.

[Raoul Duke]

I don't think that Button is as good as Montoya. But that's not to belittle Button's abilities. Because I think that he has acceptional talent. Last year he displayed so much maturity for someone so inexperienced and so young. But I simply think Montoya is better and is on his way to becoming one of the greats.

As for who will get the first williams win. Well I hope that it's Ralf, but the way things are going it's looking as though it may well be Montoya.

[AlteredGrizz]

Montoya is used to starts on the go and he surprised Schumi once the safty car was gone. How often will that happen?
I,m not jumping on the Montoya bandwagon yet, He still has alot to prove. Lets just say he's doing better then Zanardi did with Williams. As for Ralf well his qualifs are good but his races are quite useless.
So I say Montoya should get the first podium.

[enemy-ace]

I would have to give the nod to Montoya, he is an exceptionly gifted driver. While i think Button is good he is not at such an advanced state as JPM. But right now Button has other problems, namely Giancarlo Fisichella who is outperforming him so far this year. Maybe Flavio gave Button, Wurz's old car.
As far as first win is concerned, rational thinking goes to Ralf. But i won't be placing any bets.

[zetta]

The main difference between Button and Montoya (talent comparisons aside) is that Montoya knows how to win races in a top series, thanks to his CART and INDY 500 experience. Furthermore, Montoya proved that nobody intimidates him (in America he was clashing with the "great" Michael Andretti, one of the top names in the series, in just his second race). Button, on the other hand, seems too much in awe of Schumacher to pull the kind of maneuver that we saw Montoya pulling. I really think this incredible self confidence is what separates the Great from the merely good in a series where all pilots are obviously very talented.

[Raoul Duke]

Yes, I agree. Button is very talented, but last year he was kind of like "Oh boy!, what an honour to be competing alongside Micheal Schumacher!". Montoya's attitude seems to be more like "I don't give a **** who he is, he's just a driver, just another competitor, and I'm going to kick his ass all the same".

Montoya does have a tendency to speak his mind, while some people may view this as arrogance, I view this as being very confident and not afraid to tell it like it is. His comments last year about "TGF not being unbeatable, he has eyes, legs and a brain just like everyone else" I thought was brilliant. A lot of other drivers would of just said "well I don't think I'm good enough yet, but in a couple of years we will see" wich, I think, is admirable to be modest like that. But Montoya's attitude is a refreshing change.

He is very rapidly becoming my secound favourite F1 driver, next to Ralf.

[Ralf's Girl]

I don't think Button would have done as well as Montoya. Judging by Montoya's performance in Brazil, I think Button wouldn't have been gutsy enough to race TGF the way Montoya did. Last year at Spa, Button fell apart under the pressure TGF put on him to get past, but Montoya kept his head and overtook. So no, I don't think Button is as good.

Secondly, my vote goes to Ralf for the first Williams win because he has put in three very strong performances in qualifying and he has done well in races. In Malaysia he was one of the best out there (i.e. moving from 21st on lap 1 to 5th at the end), and in Brazil he was four laps down and could still set fastest lap and overtake front-runners as though he was actually racing them.

[Mania]

Yeah I agree with Ralf's Girl - I think Ralf should win the first race for BMW Williams. He's certainly worked for it.


Now as far as Jenson Button goes - like Ive said before - I think he had a good rookie year but nothing exceptional as some people would like everyone to believe (hint - Murray Walker ! - do I think Montoya is better than Button? No doubt about it. Button has a long way to go. Even then, I doubt whether he's good enough to be World Champion. He may end up a good steady driver like Gerhard Berger - and pick up some wins here and there but thats about it. Montoya on the other hand will become a Multi-Time World Champion, much like Ralf, if they both keep their head. I think Frank made a good decision. He's got two fantastic drivers. And whats more, both are fast,exciting,have a lot of self confidence - and some would say - a lot of arrogance as well. Its been a long time since Williams has had such a powerful driver line up.

And Button should start getting used to Bentton because he certainly isent coming back to Williams in 03.

[Jeanburrasca81]

I'm sure we will see Button on back on the top when Renault will have reached the standard they always reach after a while....the standard of #1 engine. Nevertheless I think Montoya and Button are not completely on the same level at the moment. I mean they have the same huge talent but Button will be faster with the years...just wait for him.

[Jeanburrasca81]

Oh well, i forgot one thing...Ralf would deserve the first Williams victory this season, but anyway i hope it will be Juan. Thats because I have more sympathies for Juan...not because i doubt about Ralfs talent.

[Peter Mallett]

Although I missed the excitement due to a russian timing mix up, I have heard the stories and I did pose the same question to myself. I eventually thought that there is very little between Ralf and Jaun (on current showing) I think Ralf is possibly better than JPM at present (witness his qualifying efforts) but if JPM keeps up the momentum then maybe he'll shade Ralf by the US GP.

As to Jenson? Well, the cars are so obviously better than last year, I believe he'd at least be equal to Ralf if not slightly better as was shown towards the end of last year. He seems to be suffering the same fate as Wurz at Benetton at the mo'. seems that the team can only feild one car capable of running anywhere near a reasonable pace and that one goes to Fissi.

[Valve Bounce]

I look at Montoya's incredible drive in Brazil, and somehow, I just cannot picture the Bunsen doing that instead. So, No!! As for first win in the Williams, you'd better ask Rubens (it's really Frasier you know!!) first.

[Carla O]

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
As for first win in the Williams, you'd better ask Rubens (it's really Frasier you know!!) first.

i wonder if RB before the race takes names out of a hat...

"hmmmm who am I going to put out of the race today?"

[Valve Bounce]

Originally posted by Carla O


i wonder if RB before the race takes names out of a hat...

"hmmmm who am I going to put out of the race today?"

My Dear Mediterranean Beauty,
I don't think so. So far, he only has Germans squarely in his sights. I certainly hope he doesn't run into JPM just for a change.
To be honest, and serious on this matter, I don't think that Rubens intentionally puts anyone out. It is just misjudgement on his part, but his denying that he is at fault has made a lot of people angry. I think that a two race ban, suspended for one year, will make him drive better, more carefully, without doing his enthusiasm any harm. Don't forget, many of us use to love Rubens. We really don't want to destroy his confidence or his career.

[AlteredGrizz]

Yes I like Rubinho also but if he keeps hitting drivers he will be quite hated, as much as Schumi....lol

[kuchi]

I think Montoya in three races had made more than what Button made last season. Eventough Juan has yet to score points, he has proved why he was brought to williams. I can´t remember if Button did lead any race on 2000, but my memory is not good so he could´ve been at the lead in some race last year. Who will get the first podium/win for williams?, well I don´t know, but I guess Ralf will get the first podium and Juan will get the win.

[F1Rumors]

Originally posted by Valve Bounce
I don't think so. So far, he only has Germans squarely in his sights. I certainly hope he doesn't run into JPM just for a change.

I think Fraud has the answer...

Barrichello is clearly frustrated by his team-mate, and cannot do anything about it. So his sub-concious is targeting the next best thing: and lines up his compatriots!

Just my tuppence worth...

[Orange]

Ok, let me qualify....
Far be it from me to deny Montoyas talent, he is obviously a great driver, and certainly mre able to stand up to the psychological pressure exerted by TGF and others than Button.... All the same, I think Jenson is more suited to F1 than Montoya... but I wish both the best. Jeanburrasca is right, once Renault gets its sh*t together and gets a strong engine and good chassis, Button will be at the sharp end of the grid. With McLaren in a slump, Williams on the rise and Honda and Renault improving, F1 is only going to get better... Now we just need to get rid of Max and Bernie..... ;-) ;-) ;-)

[Raven]

It's Button that needs to get his act together, Fisichella drove a great race in Brazil, Benetton aren't THAT bad. They're certainly no worse than Prost, Arrows, Jaguar, or Minardi...

Button can't sit back and let Fisico kick his ass whilst blaming the car, F1 is too fickle for that.

It's all media hype, Jenson has got a long way to go before we can compare him to Juan.

[Valve Bounce]

Originally posted by Raven


It's all media hype, Jenson has got a long way to go before we can compare him to Juan.

I agree wholeheartedly. I did think the Bunsen was good, but I think JPM is sensational. I think that puts it into perspective.

[AlteredGrizz]

Originally posted by F1Rumors


Barrichello is clearly frustrated by his team-mate, and cannot do anything about it. So his sub-concious is targeting the next best thing: and lines up his compatriots!

I can go with that...lol

[RALFANATOR]

JB would have done the same job as JPM but saying that the car is powerful and reliable JPM did a great job but RALF would have passed him due to the fact that RALF is faster than JPM (as it has been shown this season) RALF has more points so team orders would have kicked in. IMOLA will be more of the same its a power circut BMW & FERRARI will control it . what those BMW'S. RALF will take out BMW'S first win