Jenson Button on Honda NSX

[Soichiro]

Jenson Button is a Formula 1 driver with the factory Honda team (BAR). Both he and his combative teamate Takuma Sato are doing very well this year and getting a lot more media coverage. Here's some of Button's comments on cars. I copied only the part relating to the NSX. This is reprinted from atlasF1.com a pay website that I highly recommend for F1 news and information.

Buttoned Up

[edit]

A quick shower and change into civilian clothes at a waterfront hotel, then off by car to Cape Town's airport for the overnight trip to his home in Monaco (to spend time with various water toys in the Mediterranean) it was more live radio crossings, and (just) time to answer 10 fun questions on the hoof:

Q: What make of car do you presently drive on the road?
Button: "Honda."

Q: Which one and why do you drive that one?
Button: "NSX, because that's the one in my garage, but I chose it because it was designed with input from Ayrton Senna."

Q: Is it your dream car?
Button: "Yes, it is my dream car!"

Q: What cars do your father and fiance drive?
Button: "Dad - a '57 Corvette which I gave him for his birthday; Louise - don't want to say, that is her business."

Q: What was the first car you ever drove, how old where you and where was it?
Button: "Suzuki Jeep in a muddy field at age 15. I remember doing a lot of doughnuts!"

Q: In what car did you get your driver's licence?
Button: "Nissan Micra Diesel which belonged to the driving school."

Q: Which is your favourite bit of road, and why?
Button: "Beckett's at Silverstone; I leave 'why' to your imagination."

Q: What is the fastest you have ever driven on a public road?
Button: "I was caught at over 200km/h in France in 2000. Never again!"

Q: What is the most you would ever spend on a car?
Button: "Nothing - no need for it... I don't drive myself often. That's why it's great to work with Honda; get my cars for free!"

Q: What would you be doing for a living had you not become an F1 driver?
Button: "Cannot imagine doing anything other than F1 - been my dream since I can remember."

 

[docjohn]

He is a proper company man!I am pleasantly surprised that he remembers Senna's involvement in the car.Nice comments.

 

[classic cars]

I need to correct one part of the post. The team Jenson races for is BAR, not Honda!
Honda provides the engine and may well buy BAR soon, but for the time being the official name is BAR-Honda, where the second name designates the engine manufacturer, like Williams-BMW and so on.
I think it's a substantial difference since the engine is only one part of the package.

I think Jenson is lucky that Honda still has the NSX in their list. Was he racing for Toyota, what supercar would he be driving? An MR2 maybe ....haha...

Mike

 

[Lud]

Q: Which one and why do you drive that one?
Button: "NSX, because that's the one in my garage, but I chose it because it was designed with input from Ayrton Senna."

John hit it on the nose - he is just being a company man in this interview.

Part of the reason he "chose it" is obviously the fact that Honda supplies him with the NSX for free. I don't remember him driving an NSX before that despite the fact that the price is obviously trivial to him at this point.

Actually I should say Honda supplies him with his NSXs for free. He recently turned in his yellow one and got a new blue one.

Q: Is it your dream car?
Button: "Yes, it is my dream car!"

His dream must have changed since he signed with BAR-Honda. When he first signed as an F1 driver he went out and bought himself a Ferrari. And he paid with his own money, since he wasn't driving for Ferrari.

Sorry to sound so cynical, maybe he genuinely likes the NSX now that he has driven one for a while. But the over-the-top "I know who signs my paycheck" spin on his interview responses rubs me the wrong way.

 

[NSXLuvr]

hmmm, I wonder if he did that interview right before he signed for the next 3 years.

hopefully he drives the NSX because he loves it.

 

[j14nsx]

In a TV interview, he also said he used to have a Ferrari, but was asked to sell it when joining the BAR team. And yes, his NSXs are 'company cars'. Other racing drivers for Honda get them too.

 

[Soichiro]

THIS JUST IN - BUTTON LEAVING BAR-HONDA FOR WILLIAMS-BMW. HE HAS SIGNED A TWO YEAR CONTRACT.

We'll see if he starts promoting BMW's in the same way as the stuff above!

 

[NetViper]

I guess that will be it for his NSX.

 

[NetViper]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/motorsport/formula_one/3540478.stm

 

[Osiris_x11]

Kudos Net-Viper!

hmmm... in typical fashion Jenson Button has jumped the BAR/Honda ship for Williams/BMW. Of-course alot can be said for Frank Williams and the Anglo distinction common to both and Jenson's start into Formula1.

But, I still feel it's not sincere & cordial. (alot more to it than meets the eyes)

I hope Bar/Honda can find a competent driver to fill the void, because their future is quite on the up & up!

 

[rrwildman]

I guess that will be it for his NSX.

We'll see. Jimmy Vasser's NSX still holds the place of prominence in his garage, and I doubt that's because he couldn't afford to trade after all these years. Let's give ourselves a little more credit for what we drive - how 'bout it? Then again, you might be implying that Honda really only loaned Jenson the car, and will demand its return now. I kinda doubt that though.

That aside, I am sorry he's leaving BAR. I root for BAR, I rather like Jenson, and certainly had high hopes for next year had they maintained that continuity in the team. Given the abilities are there, continuity means a lot in a race team. Nothing against Sato of course, as I think he could be pretty good given a little more "seasoning". I did, however think Jenson in the BAR could have been quite formidable next year.

I believe Jenson was working with Williams in his early F1 days, and both past relationships, and behind-the-scenes deals are very big in F1. We probably shouldn't be too surprised.

Richard
'93 Blk/Blk

 

[gheba_nsx]

What's next now? Mika Hakkinen's NSX?

 

[NSX-Racer]

I would not be surprised to see our young Nick Heidfeld (Quick Nick) in a NSX (and in a BAR Honda too, of course) next year.

 

[Jin1976]

A question. Does Jenson Button have NSX-R?

 

[Gary W]

BAR shocked by Button's defection




The BAR team is considering legal action to prevent Jenson Button leaving the team and taking up his drive for Williams next season according to reports in the British media.

 

[NA3]

But it's really quite pointless keeping a driver whose heart lies elsewhere.

Let's not forget....BAR's recent run of success is not entirely because of Button. The team itself deserves a great deal of credit too. There may be life yet after Jenson.

 

[Soichiro]

>>BAR's recent run of success is not entirely because of Button.

Don't forget the TAKUMINATOR!

 

[NSX-Racer]

Latest rumour: Mika Hakkinen may return into F1 with BAR Honda - if that's true, my Quick-Nick-suggestion would be wrong.

 

[gheba_nsx]

NSX-Racer, look one post above Quick Nick's one...

 

[docjohn]

Lets hope Mika's foray into rallying did'nt upset his F-1 skills,4 wheel drifts and E-brake maneuvers are frowned upon in F-1

 

[Dr.Honda]

I, for one, am not surprised by this. Button might regret the decision as Williams-BMW seems to be having alot of problems.
I hope Sato continues to improve and mature the rest of the season.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Gheba, I thought the post you mentioned was meant as a joke - but it apparently wasn't.

 

[gheba_nsx]

My little bird at Honda...
...same as the HSC/new NSX news info I posted two weeks ago...

 

[TigerNSX]

I personally believe that the recent career success that Button enjoyed is attributed more by BAR Honda as a team than by his driving skills.

It will be interesting to see if Button will have as successful career at Williams BMW as he has now at BAR Honda.

Hopefully, Sato's machine will not blow up as frequently next year.

 

[gheba_nsx]

IMO is also in Sato's way of driving that relies the probelm with his car: I am not a huge fan of Sakuma...