{"id":2463,"date":"2016-08-08T18:25:54","date_gmt":"2016-08-08T18:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/f1vault.co.uk\/?p=2463"},"modified":"2016-08-08T18:25:54","modified_gmt":"2016-08-08T18:25:54","slug":"f1-today-08082016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.f1vault.co.uk\/index\/f1-today-08082016\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 Today – 08\/08\/2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Button enjoys being in the fight <\/strong><\/p>\n

Jenson Button says he is enjoying \u00a0being able to “fight” again with other drivers in 2016 now that McLaren has become more competitive in Formula One’s pecking order.<\/p>\n

It was a difficult season for the British driver following McLaren\u2019s return to Honda power this season has seen a step forward with the team. The team have already scored fifteen more points than last season and are currently seventh in the championship.<\/p>\n

Speaking to ESPN Button said \u201cThe closer you get to the front the better it is and at least we can fight now. Before we would qualify OK and then we’d just say goodbye to everyone because of our deployment.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added \u201cThis year we have good deployment, the problem is as soon as we’re in a battle in a race we struggle to overtake because we don’t have certain things we need to help us overtake.\u201d<\/p>\n

Button was asked if its more difficult going through an uncompetitive period having enjoyed previous success in his career, the 2009 world champion replied: “It is tough and a lot of drivers would have jumped to other teams, as we’ve seen with many drivers jumping teams.<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes it works out for you and you jump into a car that is winning and [winning] consistently.\u201d Button is convinced that McLaren has made significant progress over the last year and convinced the team is going in the right direction.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Renault\u2019s search for \u2018charismatic leader\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cyril Abiteboul the managing director Renault says they are looking for a \u2018charismatic leader\u2019 to lead there driver line up for 2017. The French manufacturer is currently looking at their current line up as well as others.<\/p>\n

There are two names already being linked to the team Force India\u2019s Sergio Perez and Williams\u2019s Valtteri Bottas as well as the current line-up of Kevin Magnussen or Jolyon Palmer. Speaking to Autosport Abiteboul said \u201cfrom \u00a0Renault’s perspective, what we are looking to see is people buying into the long-term project.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want them to be able to act as a leader and ambassador for the brand – and leader for the team. It’s not easy when you’re young, so there’s more to come from them [Magnussen and Palmer] with their involvement, in their capacity to take the role of leaders. We need that.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said that all the big teams all lean towards charismatic leaders and says Renault will need that at some point. With big names all under contact for 2017 it will be impossible to steel one from another team. Adding \u201cSo it’s better we do not rush any decision and take more time to form an opinion about who we have in priority, and that is the best way forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abiteboul admitted that the team has not provided the drivers with a car to prove themselves this season. Abiteboul is not ruling out Mercedes junior and his team’s current reserve Esteban Ocon<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Magnussen using 2016 as prep for the front<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kevin Magnussen says he is using this season to prepare himself for the future prospect of fighting at the front of the grid. It has been a difficult season for him and Renault since they took over Lotus.<\/p>\n

The team are currently ninth in the constructors’ standings having just one points finish this season when Magnussen claimed seventh place at the Russian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n

The Dane admits that thinking about his future prospects has helped act as motivation during a difficult 2016. He told ESPN \u201cYou can always motivate yourself by thinking about next year and the year after that, just thinking about the future and try to learn as much as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added \u201cprepare for when you get the chance because that’s how Formula One is, suddenly you’re in a car that can win and you have to deliver. So learning and preparing yourself for that time is what I’m doing now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Magnussen says it difficult not to be fighting for points and its hard if your chasing someone down and even if you do get him and overtake him — you’re working so hard to overtake him and you still don’t get poi<\/p>\n

Renaults best result following points in Russia has been two twelfth places by Palmer. Magnussen believes he has learned a lot during the first half of the season and feels he can be relatively happy with his own performances so far in 2016.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Massa is underestimated \u2013 Bottas<\/strong><\/p>\n

Valtteri Bottas says his team-mate Felipe Massa ability behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car is underestimated. The Brazilian who was world champion for a few moments in 2008 is out of contract at the end of 2016.<\/p>\n

Massa may have to fight to retain his seat as it is believed that Williams are waiting for McLaren\u2019s Jenson Button to make a decision about his future. Massa has scored 38 points this season, 20 ponits behind Bottas. He finished 15 points behind Bottas last year and 52 further back in 2014.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Autosport Bottas said \u201c”He is underestimated – his skills and how he really can be. As a driver, your goal is always to be quicker than your team-mate, which I feel I have achieved so far this season, like last year and the year before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bottas sees no reason why Massa’s place in F1 next year should be in doubt. He added \u201cIt depends on Felipe [whether he wants to continue] but personally, I see no reason why he would not continue.\u201d<\/p>\n

Technical Director Pat Symonds told the magazine \u201cOne of the aspects of the team I am happy with is the drivers. They push each other hard, have similar performance and they do it in a way that puts the team first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding \u201cFelipe has continued to deliver very strong results and he’s pleased me all the way through 2014, 2015 and continues to.\u201d Symonds says Massa has some really strong fights and he is still very quick.<\/p>\n

Massa wants to stay at Williams for a fourth season as he still enjoys working with the team but he has left the door open about a move to another outfit. \u201cI want to stay here but I want to race inside a team where I will be important and where you see it developing.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

News \u2013 in \u2013 Brief <\/strong><\/p>\n