[le_moribond]

FT article's claiming Fiat and Volkswagen will join the WRC next year. It might not seem like such a crazy idea to imagine Kimi could join Fiat if they do enter. They own Ferrari, his best times in F1 are behind him, Ferrari desperate to get Alonso. Who knows?

[the sniper]

FT article's claiming Fiat and Volkswagen will join the WRC next year. It might not seem like such a crazy idea to imagine Kimi could join Fiat if they do enter. They own Ferrari, his best times in F1 are behind him, Ferrari desperate to get Alonso. Who knows?

If they do join next year it will be in the new 'S2000 World Cup' sub class, much like the existing J(unior)WRC and P(roduction)WRC. It'll be theoretically possible for them to win WRC rallies, but not very likely because the S2000 spec cars they'll be using are slower then the WRC cars used currently by Ford & Citroen.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Raikkonen in the FIAT (well, Abarth Punto) next year, be that in the S2000 World Cup or the IRC, which is broadcast on (and ran by) Eurosport. Abarth have been in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for a number of years.

BMW Mini are also tipped to join the WRC in 2011 when there will be new regulations brought in to replace the current WRC Car regs.

[Zoot]

Bump...

Jenson Button wins the championship!
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/18102009/ ... nship.html

Fantastic race though, Button drove his best race yet in my opinion.

[Johnny 1989]

Well done to Button he can finally shake off that "Tim Henman of Formula 1" tag now

[Jill]

Two Brit wins in a row. Whoohoo. Great race.

[CassieJackson]

Nice one Jenson!

His dad can finally wash that pink shirt now....

[MK Chris]

You have to hand it to Button he drove an amazing race - that grid position almost took the pressure right off him - he could afford for it to go to the next race, but Rubens still had to produce the goods. I still think Button's not great (as in one of the great drivers of our time), because considering the car he had at the beginning, when the other teams started catching up with the Brawns, he was the one that choked and Barrichello was suddenly the quicker of the two (and wasn't he was so, so unlucky yesterday). That said, that was the best I've ever seen Button drive. You really could have forgiven Barrichello for being a sore loser yesterday - he must have believed it was going to the last race after qualifying - but the guy was a real gent and came right up and congratulated Jenson straight away.

Right then... next year - what a prospect that is! As Zoot was saying, you've got Brawn, Red Bull, McLaren... and possibly even the Force Indias - and as for the drivers, you could easily see five or six drivers in the picture, including two Brits.

[dimtimjim]

Woo hoo for Button! 2 brits as back to back champions.... I'm feeling nearly as smug as when we thrashed Geramny 5-1 a few years back....

**wanders off to find his union flag undercrackers**

[Yudster]

I'm thrilled for Jensen, really pleased but why hasn't anyone made a fuss about the amazing drive from Hamilton to finish on the podium from 17th on the grid? Obviously Jensen is the biggest news, but Hamilton's drive hasn't even had a side-mention.

[MK Chris]

'Tis true, Hamilton drove extremely well too, but I reckon really, people know Hamilton's ability - although having said that, that drive was one of his best - and there was a big question mark over whether Button could close the season out.

[Yudster]

17th to third in the race is amazing - can you remember anything comparable in recent years?

[Zoot]

Didn't Schumacher make up an amazing amount of places a few years back?

[MK Chris]

16th to first I think Schumacher did, but I'm not sure you could call it recent years - I reckon it must have been about 1997ish. But really, Yudster is right - Hamilton deserved more plaudits for his race.

[Yudster]

Well if you two can;t remember....I used to follow F1 back in the Damon Hill/Ayrton Senna days, but have only taken an interest again since Hamilton came on the scene. I can't remember such a big claw-back in a race, although I would have thought it would have been more likely to have happened back when I was watching all those years ago. Just because I can't remember doesn't mean it never happened though.

[pjordan2000]

Right then... next year - what a prospect that is! As Zoot was saying, you've got Brawn, Red Bull, McLaren... and possibly even the Force Indias - and as for the drivers, you could easily see five or six drivers in the picture, including two Brits.

And even Ferrari have a shout if they sort their car out for next season. Massa is a good driver in my opinion and is also capable of winning the Chamiponship.

[MK Chris]

It was the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix, which was in the wet by the sounds of it (and and Schumacher - along with Jean Alesi - was master of the wet) and he drove pretty aggressively to finish ahead of Hill, which drew some criticism. So perhaps Lewis' is still the more impressive, given the weather conditions.

Right then... next year - what a prospect that is! As Zoot was saying, you've got Brawn, Red Bull, McLaren... and possibly even the Force Indias - and as for the drivers, you could easily see five or six drivers in the picture, including two Brits.

And even Ferrari have a shout if they sort their car out for next season. Massa is a good driver in my opinion and is also capable of winning the Chamiponship.

Massa will need to get his confidence back yet, no mean feat by any stretch.

[Munki Bhoy]

My favourite bit was him singing Queen over the radio. There was part of me thinking that were I ever in that position that's exactly what I'd do. I like Button more purely because of that one thing.

That said, I fully expect Vettel to be a champion in the near future. He has age on his side. Something poor Rubinho does not. He's probably the nicest guy in Formula 1, and has sod all luck.