Bernie backs Button
Bernie Ecclestone thinks the new scoring system announced by the FIA on Tuesday could give Jenson Button a crack at the Championship in 2009.
Official Aussie bookmaker, IASbet.com currently has Jenson Button priced as favourite to win in Melbourne ahead of Kimi Raikkonen, Felipe Massa, Rubens Barrichello and Lewis Hamilton.
When Bernie was asked by Autosport about his predictions for the championship at an Australian Grand Prix press conference he said:
I suppose an awful lot will depend on these regulations, but if Brawn has got it right, then there is a chance that for the first three races we could maybe see Jenson winning.
Now that it is not points that decides the championship, if he has three races in his pocket then it is not bad – although I suppose in the end you have to look at the old timers like Alonso, Kimi, Felipe and Mr Hamilton.
I think he’s right and I’d love to see Jenson challenging for the Championship this year. God knows he’s been waiting a long time for a car that could give him a serious chance at it. But my favorite Bernie comment from the press conference was this, when asked about the legality of the Williams, Toyota and Brawn diffusers:
I guarantee whoever wins the races in Melbourne will be told they are cheating, and it doesn’t matter who it is.
Unfortunately, I think he’s right there, too.