Jenson Button has been backed to recover from motor racing's equivalent of the yips in time to revive his stalled world title challenge by one of Britain's most successful Formula One drivers. Button has taken just 11 points from the past five races heading into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Monza, and has shown signs of wilting in the heat at the head of the championship.
He still holds a 16-point lead at the top ahead of his teammate Rubens Barrichello, but remains under pressure. Despite the fact he is a consultant and test driver for Red Bull Racing, the closest challengers to Button's Brawn GP team, David Coulthard tipped his compatriot to stave off his rivals and carry off the title. Coulthard said the key to success will be whether Button can discount the increasing clamour expressing doubts over his temperament.
"He is still leading the championship and the battle is coming from within, which is better than having to fight off other teams," said Coulthard, who amassed more points in F1 than any other British driver. "Red Bull are the nearest challengers, and their drivers are nearly 20 points behind. I think he will hold on, but it will go down to the wire. As a professional driver he will know there is a lot of extra pressure that goes along with the competition.
"I remember well when I was a driver, one thing that would really wind me up would be having to answer the same question that had been repeatedly asked 30 times before. "It does become annoying. I don't know how you are supposed to deal with it. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to that in the remaining races." Martin Brundle, another former Grand Prix driver from Britain, also tipped Button to take the title even if it does go down to the season finale at the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.
"The championship might be very much down to the wire at an all new venue," he said. "I think Jenson can claw back the momentum. He has tightened up in the car, and seems to have the motor racing equivalent of golf's yips. "It is much easier to chase than be chased. If some of the others get into a potential championship-winning position they might find the same pressure. "Jenson still has a 16-point lead at the start of Monza. His teammate has to take three points per race off him, Red Bull's guys have to take four points per race.
"Somehow or other, he should still be ahead going into the final race. As long as he doesn't have a couple of disasters, like another first lap shunt or an engine failure, it is still his to lose." Coulthard and Brundle will host the Abu Dhabi Chequered Flag ball at the Intercontinental Hotel on October 29. pradley@thenational.ae