Button Backlash in Japan

25th September 2005

posted in Formula One |

Jenson Button faces a four-letter backlash after team-mate Takuma Sato was dumped by BAR.

Supporters of Japan’s most successful Grand Prix racer are preparing giant banners emblazoned with the words “F*** you, Button”.

The usually mild mannered Japanese fans are fuming over Sato being ditched for next season after BAR announced on Wednesday they had re-signed Button to partner Brazilian Rubens Barrichello for 2006.

They intend to show their anger when the Formula One fraternity rolls up in Suzuka for Sato’s home race in a fortnight’s time.

When it became evident that the Japanese were up in arms BAR offered Sato the role of test driver - but he angrily rejected the move

Sato is furious at the way he lost his drive and although he knew the writing was on the wall after scoring a single point when Button has 30, he was unimpressed not to have been given notice of the impending midweek announcement.

All he would say about his future was: “I won’t be staying at BAR.” A spokesman for Suzuka circuit said: “Takuma has a big following in Japan and they love his brave racing style. The fans are not happy and have said they will make their feelings clear.”

Sato’s manager Andrew Gilbert Scott has approached Williams over the vacant seat alongside Mark Webber.

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 25th, 2005 at 5:08 am and is filed under Formula One. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

1 On September 25th, 2005, George said:#

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 6:09 am

2 On September 25th, 2005, Marc said:#

I had to laugh over that terminology also. At the same time seven years living in Japan taught me that anything the Japanese do that is considered “outside the ordinary” is considered brave.

My guess is Takuma will be back home running either the Japanese formula series or the GT series.

I have always wondered why the Japanese have never produced a winning driver in F1. Thier local formula series is very competitive, in fact Schume and some of the other F1 stars have raced and won there.

There have been very sucessful J-drivers in off-road (Dakar) and MotoGP but never have come close to F1 success.

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 6:38 am

3 On September 25th, 2005, RaceChick said:#

OK, I don’t follow F1 regularly at all, but why don’t people like Jenson? And since I’m playing the dumb girl role on this one, why is he called “The Dear Boy”? From an outsiders point of view if one driver isn’t getting it done but the other is, then it’s either the drivers fault or the teams fault. So why is Jenson getting the brunt of it? OK, now let’s talk NASCAR again so I can feel smart.

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 6:53 am

4 On September 25th, 2005, Marc said:#

Picture the Kurt Busch/Jammie McMurray situation on steroids. In short it’s this way.

Button was driving for BAR Honda. He decided while still under contract to sign with the Williams team for ‘06. (note: Williams had a competitive car at the time of this signing)

Now a year later the Williams team, and “future home” of Button, is sucking hind tit and have trouble making a lap let alone the podium.

Soooo… taking all the “simulated loyality” Button could muster he decided/asked/begged then finally bought his way out of the Williams contract to stay at BAR Honda this week.

BTW put aside your “non-F1″ fan status for a moment and scroll down to the Minardi Barbie post. You might like it.

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 7:44 am

5 On September 25th, 2005, RaceChick said:#

Thanks for the info. I didn’t know anything about the B A R/Williams contract situation. It’s not that I’m not open to being an F1 fan, I just can’t really get into it. I watch every now and then but have never really concerned myself with the contract talks or business dealings of the series. Now I know.

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 8:39 am

6 On September 25th, 2005, George said:#

In F1 the racing is almost secondary to the politics and personality conflicts. It’s grand soap opera at it’s finest. As for Jenson and my calling him “The Dear Boy”, he started in F1 with Williams at the age of 19, and hasn’t demonstrated much maturity as yet, or even won a race.
It has many racing fans wondering what all the fuss is about “The Dear Boy”. What Marc didn’t mention is that Jenson is spending around 30 million of his own dollars to get out of his contract with Williams. Poor boy!!

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 1:21 pm

7 On September 25th, 2005, Marc said:#

Sorry for leaving out the 30 mil George, but I was really hoping by keeping it under cover I might be able to raid Franks cookie jar.

F1 Politics!!! Pa-shaw. Who ever gave you that idea?

posted on September 25th, 2005 at 2:03 pm

8 On September 26th, 2005, George said:#

The U.S. F1 race commentators mentioned today that Honda may try to keep Sato-san in F1 by giving engines to Minardi next year if they give him a drive. And they all say F1 is going broke? Give me a break!!

There also was a report of the top dog of Honda Motorsports at the Champ Car race in Las Vegas this weekend. It would be more likely for Honda to come back to Champ Cars and get Takuma a seat there before he winds up at Minardi.

posted on September 26th, 2005 at 8:18 am

9 On September 26th, 2005, Marc said:#

Alas I have your normal problem in watching the race from Brazil. It being in you side of the world and not mine it was on a 1am. I was dreaming the dream of Valentino Rossi.

Sitting in a Ferrari and getting 72 million to do it.

posted on September 26th, 2005 at 1:17 pm

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