JV-JB squabble - have your say... the response.

The war of words between B.A.R-Honda duo Jacques Villeneuve and Jenson Button has stole many headlines this year and we, at Crash.net wanted to know what you, the reader thought.

Here then are your reactions to the JV-JB quarrel and while on the whole most backed Jenson [roughly 60 per cent], some were less sure and others said Jacques may be a ''little kid but that's part of the attraction...''

Enjoy...

Jenson is in the right?

''I'm as sick of JV as I can possibly be. Certainly F1 is part soap opera, given the stakes and egos involved, and this ''issue'' between them seems perfect for prime time.

''My personal opinion is that JV is a once great champion whose ego led him to another team where he was supposed to be the next great thing. Instead, he's done nothing on the track worth noticing and has consistently tarnished his image through constant bitching and complaining.

''I think that if you are going to challenge someone's manhood, in essence, you must first be one. The truth is that JV's ''weak'' team-mate has accomplished more in his three year career in F1 than JV has in his career at BAR.''

Steve Huckaby.

''Jacques Villeneuve has always been fast. Jenson Button is young and obviously talented. Villeneuve had the opportunity to have a team built around him and yet has achieved nothing. His attitude is poor, his leadership skills questionable, his ability to work on a cordial basis with those around him suspect at best.

''There is a good reason a former world champion has been driving for a second rate team for years. No one else will have him. The world is full of talented drivers. BAR needs nothing as much as an attitude adjustment - put Villeneuve to pasture and spare us all his juvenile comments.''

Scott Wolfsen - USA.

''Hail F1 fans! First, it quite normal for senior, more experienced driver to try to get the upper hand his younger team-mate. Intra-team rows are a part of the spice of F1, even if they detract from the ''team'' concept.

''Then, there are the tactics used in the attempt to achieve the desired effect. All manner of psychological ploys, including simply appealing to team members to secure their allegiance, have been employed by drivers whose self-focus is so widely displayed and known that to deny the same would be useless.

''The late, great Ayrton Senna was perhaps the king of this, right down to hand picking his team-mates during his Lotus days, and later swaying the tide of power and influence away from the equally great Alain Prost. Michael Schumacher also could be viewed as having done the same. The Ferrari team is undoubtedly built around the German.

''But, what of Jacques and Jenson? Well, the truth be told, with equal, reliable, cars set up to each driver's liking, one would think that the vastly more experienced Canadian would only need to assert himself in the garage by work habits and by producing superior results in the car to assert the type of undying allegiance that would readily result in the desired advantage. Yet so far, it just hasn't been so, has it?

''Instead, Jacques runs his mouth, to excess at times, and makes nice once in a while as if to somehow sucker Jenson into thinking all's really well, only to go back to the senseless bashing yet again and again. The ridiculousness of it is that Jenson's made the best of the situation provided to him at Williams, which is reflected in his improved result during that season. Then, through no real fault of his own, Frank Williams packs him off to what turned out to be a woeful Benetton plight. As we all recall, Frank had three drivers under contact to pilot two cars. This, of course, is just one of various ill-advised manoeuvres by the team owner.

''To his credit, Jenson has handled this quite well for a still fairly young F1 pilot. With the fans and the press likely hounding him for the past two seasons about his performance in the under-performing Benetton's / Renaults, one might think his resolve would have suffered. Instead, he seems to have emerged from it all no worse off for the experience. This is all to his credit.

''With all of this said, there is only one objective view of this situation. Jacques has basically made a fool of himself by putting himself in a position to be bested in the one place that really matters: on the track. The motivation that Jenson certainly has picked up as a result of this row will only add fuel to the fire of a talented young man with much to prove and plenty of capability to do it.''

Michael Kuhl (39) - USA.

''Jacques Villeneuve's recent spree of verbal attacks on team-mate Button shows how eager he is to remind everyone who cares to listen that he was once champion. A fact some people might tend to forget given it was more than half a decade ago, which, in F1 time, is quite close to eternity.

''Long gone are the happy-go-lucky days that brought him an impressive streak of victories, culminating with his F1 championship at Williams. His recent attacks on Button clearly indicate just how bitter and preoccupied he has become.

''Bitter about his long streak of un-competitiveness. Preoccupied with looking like an under-achiever when compared with his new teammate. Today, he would certainly trade a chunk of his wealth for a race-winning package.

''Jenson, on the other hand, remains under-valued. He has been the victim of bad press, especially from former boss Flavio Briatore who had a personal interest in hiring prot?g? Fernando Alonso at Renault this year. His recent results have proven he is just as solid as JV, even with a lower spec engine in Australia. His most eloquent reply remains his solid performance at Sepang, starting with the fact he out-qualified JV. Race day would have yielded fifth place, had it not been for a lack of reliability from his racecar. Ultimately, he has banked BAR's first points this season.

''This war of words will certainly not displease David Richards who most likely sees JV as the last artifact of the Pollock era. He will not shed a single tear should Jacques take part in his last F1 season. Or perhaps would he shrewdly enjoy the opportunity of signing JV for a rock-bottom fee next season?

''Overall, this situation reflects negatively on one individual: Jacques Villeneuve. But we should all cherish his recent bad boy moves since, unless friend and manager Pollock magically starts a new team next season, he will most likely watch races from the comfort of his yacht. In a world of PR-groomed corporate drivers, he will be missed.''

Rio Pangia (34) - Canada.

''Let's face it, this Villeneuve/Button business is little more than childish 'tabloid' fodder, and it has been sustained by just the sort of reporting we may expect from tabloid journalists. Then again, most of the stories published between race weekends (and many during) are drivel. I expect that race fans are clever enough to judge the drivers via on track performance.

''However...

''1. Villeneuve should be criticized for not knowing when to put a lid on it. True, he is known for being outspoken, and often enough he seems to have reasonably intelligent things to say (F1 really does need more 'characters'), but he ought to have seen where all this was going.

''2. It is fairly clear that Dave Richards has been trying to rattle JV, and it may be that he is succeeding. One could understand this prior to the start of the season, if DR hoped to avoid paying JV's salary, but there seems little to gain by it now (assuming that JV's contract will not be renewed).

''Surely these comments add little of interest to the new F1 season. I'm sure most readers/race fans would rather consider brilliant, competitive racing.''

Dale Levandier (45) - Canada.

''How many years has Villeneuve been driving F1 cars? Isn't it time that he retired and let the younger drivers have a proper go? I know he has a lot of money invested in the car but as he has not been very successful in the past few years I feel that he should let the young guns take over before he has an accident.

''I feel there should be an age limit on drivers and those who are 'has-beens' should assist the younger drivers in the paddock. Come on Button do not weaken - show him that you are a better driver.''

Nigel Ackers - Britain.

''I must commend Jenson Button on his mature behaviour at track side on comments that have been made towards him by his so called team mate.

''It is time JV got over his over inflated ego and realised that he was a lucky F1 world champion.

''I know that Button will let his talking be conducted by the results that he attains on the track. Come on Jenson do your best, I wish you the best of British.''

David Leng (38) - British.

''As far as I'm concerned, there are two kinds of drivers: Those who win my respect on the track (eg. Giancarlo Fisichella, Jean Alesi, etc) and those who lose my respect by using off and on track methods to win at all costs (however good they are as a driver).

''In the latter category I place Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve. The 'feud' would be ludicrous if it didn't impact upon the careers of both drivers. Villeneuve's tantrums and undermining have cost at least two excellent drivers their careers with a top team. It is unfortunate that Jenson Button has come in for the same treatment.

''He has already had a bad deal from the politics of F1. He did a great rookie year, staying with Ralf Schumacher. It was unfortunate that Juan Montoya was already in the frame (and probably rightly so). Then he gets shipped to Benetton, where he was partnered by Fisi (probably the fastest driver on the grid and much undervalued in his own country). The car he was asked to drive was virtually un-driveable (handled like a cow, no power steering, etc). Fisi at least had experience and a relationship with the team.

''What did the team managers do? Go up and down the pitlane offering Button to anyone who would have him. They should have supported him. Even so, by the end of the season, he was beginning to push Fisi. The Renault year was a Briatore managed endeavour to place Fernando Alonso, together with Jarno Trulli. Button nearly ruined this by nearly getting a podium at Sepang. His car broke down on the last lap. Did we hear the rapture, the adulation that Alonso has just received?

''Commentators (and Villeneuve) say that Button has beaten nobody yet. He may have been outqualified by Trulli, but he was 'best of the rest', bringing the majority of Renault's points that got them fourth place. The qualifying issue is not clear either. There were persistent rumours that Trulli was getting the 'Schumacher' treatment with the team. Certainly ANYTHING he did which could be praised was lauded. Button's achievements were merely noted.

''The all Briatore managed team was a certainty, no matter what Button did. After all, it's very lucrative. Working in that atmosphere must have been appalling. Yet Button did the one thing, which deserves respect. He stayed loyal to the team and his team-mate. It must have been a godsend to actually be welcomed at B.A.R.

''The animosity between Dave Richards and Villeneuve pre-existed Button's arrival and Villeneuve should have been mature enough to deal with it instead of hitting out at the new boy. Villeneuve's contract (arranged by his manager, who was also the team boss, yet again!) was grossly out of proportion to his value and the truth of that fact hurt his fragile ego. To turn on your team-mate and set such a destructive atmosphere is not the sign of a professional who is worthy of respect.

''Button was inevitably drawn into it. If he says nothing, the media accuse him of 'sulking'. If he responds, he gets accused of being 'weak'. I think that many people are finding out that Button is a tougher cookie than they give him credit for. All of this experience will strengthen him when he finally has a car in which he can fight on an even playing field. I don't know if he will become World Champion. Too many political things get in the way to predict this. What I do know is that he has my respect. Villeneuve (and Michael Schumacher) do not. What Honda make of his antics when honour is such a Japanese trait is an interesting question?

Tom Tomlinson - UK.

''Basically, Villeneuve is a ''has been''. If he was going to win again, it would have happened. He talks too much, earns too much, and basically needs to keep quiet.

''Button is the future of BAR. He is, foremost, young, quick, and has the ''years'' to grow. Villeneuve is growing old and spiteful. It is time for JV to accept his fate, assist the Englishman, and most importantly, show integrity.''

Michael J. Maier - USA.

''My opinion: the whole thing's JV's fault. He should've just kept his mouth shut and seen what Button could do. So far this year (admittedly it's early), Button's done better, and it's all the more obvious because everyone's paying attention to their feud. Even if you discount JV's problems at Malaysia as car-related and not driver-related, Button's out-qualified him twice and the botched pit stop at Melbourne was probably JV's fault.

''So JV's made himself look like an ass. His best years are half a decade behind him; he hasn't accomplished anything in F1 this century. If JV had have kept his yap shut, we'd all be saying, ''Wow, JV's had some hard luck early on, hope he can turn it around'' rather than ''Wow, JV's been outshined by his team-mate, hope he doesn't get canned at season end.''

''Button's basically responded a little with words and a lot with action. I've gained a lot of respect for Jenson as he's handled such an idiotic (and yes, ''pathetic'') team-mate.''

Christian Mastilak (28) - USA.

''I was a big fan of Jacques for years and routed for him when he won the world championship. However I find his approach to Jenson is childish, arrogant, and pathetic.

''He should let his driving do the talking, and encourage his team-mate to provide the maximum results. If this mean mouth attitude is all he has then I really hope Jensen stuffs him on the track and shuts him up for good!''

Joe Kennedy (45) - Ireland.

''What do you expect? It's Villeneuve being Villeneuve! I have always liked Villeneuve, I think all sports need people that stir things up. Though lately it seems that all he can do is make excuses for not performing well.

''I think for him, he just enjoys causing ''trouble'' and talking trash with everyone. Though, I think he is very wrong about Button, Button is a great driver.

''Button has handled all of Villeneuve's crap very well, much better than I would have done. The pit stop fiasco was all Villeneuve's fault. He really blew it when he said that he didn't know why Button pitted when he did because Button had the fuel and should have stayed out another lap, what a bunch of crap.''

Brett van Dyke (34) - USA.

''I'm a great fan of Jacques and I still think he has what it takes to be in the top three or four drivers. However he has been completely wrong on how he has handled Button. He should have given him the chance and benefit of opportunity. I'm worried that he has lost it.''

Mike Tobin - Canada.

''Sorry not a Villeneuve fan - I can't really think of why he is so highly rated. He has never won anything from the position of the underdog and only won in the best car at the time the Williams. Frank and Patrick must really smile at his antics, the ''not worth trying if the car is not perfect'' attitude would have surely lead to his departure from Williams even without the enticement of BAR.

''I can't help but thinking if anyone wanted to screw his team-mates race enough to do it, it would be Jacques. I do not doubt that he plays the game more than most, possibly to create 'The Bad Boy Of F1' returns to CART or Champ Cars or whatever its called now. Mr Pollock must be counting the publicity '$'s already.

''We are never going to know the full story unless Jacques decides to tell - but my money is on Jenson out-performing him and thereby creating an even bigger shower of toys from the pram to the point that David Richards will finally have the 'all right in court' grounds to fire him.

''Just a minute is that what it's all about? Act like a twat - have your contract terminated - collect a vast settlement - go back to a less competitive arena - rediscover success. Hmmmm!''

John Grant (57) - England.

''It's about time Villeneuve grew up and started acting his age, the only reason he was world champion is because he was in the best car at the right time, and he will never be champion again. Jenson is far more mature and indeed a better driver, so Jacques keep your big mouth shut and get on with what your paid to do - that's driving!''

Ian Hardcastle (50) - UK.

Sitting on the fence? - backing neither driver???

''I have been following this story with interest as I use to live in Somerset, England (Jenson's home county) and I used to work opposite Williams F1 engineering in Wantage Oxfordshire. So I will try and not be biased as both drivers drove for Williams.

''I think that Jacques is extremely frustrated at the moment because the car has not performed to his expectations during his time at BAR, he had shown tremendous talent whilst at Williams showing everybody the skill he has got driving a F1 car, but I think he thinks that he is better than the team and the car etc and nobody is bigger or better than any team or the car (Williams have proved that by only once having kept hold of a World champion). They are still running a top car. It is sad that Jenson started with a top team and when you do that you are immediately on a downhill slope (long term) when you are so young and still learning.

''I feel that Jenson has handled himself in a very professional manner and that Jacques has been very childish in the way he has handled the whole situation. If you don't like each other then don't talk to each other but never slag the opposition because it will only make you look a fool and sooner rather later it will come back and bite you big time.

''The BAR car is improving season upon season and if you can work together as a team and not a individual then the rewards will come sooner rather than later. The only time you are competing with each other is when you are on the track trying to win the race and the best driver most times will win if you are confident.

''Basically what I am saying is do your talking on the race track not in the media and not at the cost of the team. I think I have been very fair.''

Neil Bennett - Englishman living in Australia.

''Whilst a team manager should engender / maintain competitiveness between his drivers it should be kept in-house and not be allowed to detract from either the aims of the team or the perception of it in third parties eyes.

''At his age Villeneuve should be more adult and discuss his opinions with Richards but not with the press. Button's reactions have shown good maturity and his public behaviour has been ''gentlemanly''.

''Whether Villeneuve's views will be supported or trashed we shall know only as the season progresses.

''Button's boo-boo letting two cars past on the final lap in Malaysia did not help his case. Meanwhile Richards should stop the pair of them making public comment - forget whether he thinks it is good PR for B.A.R.''

Anthony Randell (60) - Britain.

''The whole situation between the two drivers has been created by Villeneuve's pre-season comments about Button, which were a little childish and unnecessary. However, I think that this is merely Villeneuve's way of trying to destabilise Button who, despite the comments, he must view as a big threat.

''Villeneuve's contract is up at the end of the year and Button is BAR's new 'hope' so Villeneuve is trying to talk him down. The press have magnified the situation to some extent, but the pit incident in Australia didn't help, which prompted Button to take the war-of-words to a new level.

''All of this changes nothing though as it's what happens on the track that counts. If Button outperforms Villeneuve on the track this season, Villeneuve's career will be over. The fact that he has bad-mouthed Button will only make his departure more satisfying for Button.''

Stuart Collin (23) - England.

''It's the best thing that happened to BAR!!!''

Vikash Rajman - South Africa.

Backing Jacques?

''Jenson Button does not warrant 'future world champion' status, he failed against all his team-mates so far, with occasional good showings, but that's bound to happen due to law of averages.

''In Oz, Button was not telling the truth about the situation and did not bother to get the facts before he started crying, he was obviously hurt that Villeneuve did not respect his driving ability but then why should he respect him, like it or not, at the age of 27 Villeneuve wrote himself in the history books by winning CART (when it was difficult), Indy 500 (when it was difficult) and F1 title, all within four years of reaching top flight racing. What has Button done? His first season in top flight was with a top F1 team for crying out loud!

''Australia - There is absolutely no way Button could have re-joined the race in fifth to eighth position even without the pit stop delay. Button did have fuel for another lap, he was behind Villeneuve and chose to follow him in - how stupid is that! One more flying lap he would have leapfrogged Villeneuve.

''Button could have pitted early for dry tyres and would definitely have leapfrogged his team-mate but chose not to.

''Lets see how he handles an F1 car when the driver has to start driving it after Silverstone, I suspect Button and those so called new generation drivers will struggle. Its a well known fact that anyone can make a F1 car go quickly now with all the aids. The Rosberg boy did it and he can't even drive! This is why the rules are being brought in now, to make the drivers earn their money and prove their skill.

''The hardest thing in F1 is respecting your team-mates driving, the fact is, none of them respect each other, they all believe they are the best. There is only one way to summarise this, which drivers consistently outpace and race their team-mates during a season?

''The only sure bets are Villeneuve and Schumacher.''

Tim Mehmet (32) - Britain.

''Just who does Jenson Button think he is? One simple irrefutable fact: Jacque Villeneuve is a two times world champion (1 CART, 1 F1), Jenson Button isn't.

''Button has spent his F1 career going from good team, to mediocre team to (prior to 2003) back of the grid team. I'll take Button more seriously once he's proved capable of beating the world.''

Mark Ingram (33) - England.

''A follower of Formula One since 1958 I have seen my share of squabbles, although there seems to be more with these younger brand of stallions. It doesn't hurt... I think people decide whose side they are on and then watch how it plays out on the track. It certainly is a way to keep your team on everybody's mind. Doesn't matter what it is, a woman driver (which doesn't affect F1), fighting drivers or a driver that is outrageously good.

''My vote is still for Jacques Villeneuve. Sure, he can be like a little kid, but I think that is part of the attraction. He is a hell of a driver.''

George Harvey (60) - USA/Cyprus.

''Jacques is a proven winner, with a World Championship under his belt. Let's not forget that great accomplishment in a sport that has seen fewer drivers in its lifetime achieve champion status, than there have been men on the space shuttle. However, he does come across as complaining too much, and even though I support him, I am tired of hearing that the car is ''un-driveable''.

''Button, a local boy, is naturally a favourite of the U.K. media. He has a lot to prove and should respond to Jacques with superlative performances, not by escalating squabbles. Compare him to Kimi Raikkonen and Button is very over-rated.''

Dr. Sunil Sharma (36) - Canada.

''I think JV was testing Button. I also think he passed! Now JV needs to get on with it. He needs to prove he can still drive an F1 car.''

Blair Daggett.

''Being a Canadian, I am a huge fan of JV, not only is he a highly skilled driver who knows what it feels like to win, but I really admire his out-spoken style. That said, if the reports of this feud with Button are to be believed, I think that these 'team-mates' need to figure out a way to work together to propel their team to the front of the grid.

''JV has been complaining for years (deservedly) that BAR has not lived up to its budget. This season they seem to have a package that is beginning to show some signs of competitiveness.

''Psychology 101 says that a team that works together wins together. In the recent past, Ferrari and McLaren have proved this. A lot of Michael Schumacher's success comes from being a team leader and positively reinforcing ALL members of the team to succeed. Ferrari built a winning team around that kind of positive drive and focus. When Schumacher wins, every member of the team (from the engineers to the custodians) win and he is smart enough to know that. Bottom line, he would not be a World Champion without them.

''If I had an opportunity to sit down with JV I would say, ''BE A LEADER. GET YOUR EGO OUT OF THE WAY. Lead your troops to the top of the podium. People always work better in a happy team environment''.

''This does not mean being friends. It means working together in a way that uses each team member's strengths to the fullest to achieve the set goal. That goal is winning.''

Adam Large.

Finally Crash.net would like to thank all those people that replied to our ''...have your say'' story as without them this article would not be possible.

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