Button lost no less than 15 points to Webber in only 3 races, and there are 7 more races to go in the 2009 season. However, the fact that Red Bull is still pending on switching to a one-driver strategy for the remainder of the season might just benefit Button, as the RBR teammates will do nothing but take points out of each other in the final stages of the year.
However, with McLaren, Ferrari and Renault all upping their game in recent weeks, Alonso believes it would be difficult for the two RBR duo to keep on scoring 1-2s in the next few months. And, echoing Ross Brawns words earlier this month, Alonso too would bet all his money on Button becoming the new world champion.
“Difficult (to say) now with the Red Bull recovery in the last grands prix, but I'm still betting on Button for the World Championship. The advantage is still there, even if the Red Bulls now are quite quick it is difficult to always get 1-2, 1-2 in the races. So I think Button, if he manages the situation, is the big favourite,” said Alonso in a Renault podcast.
Moving away from the title fight this year, the Spaniard admitted he is hopeful of a good result in the remaining rounds of 2009, considering the progress made by the Enstone based team during the past few grands prix.
“We proved last year that anything is possible in Formula 1. Renault has always proved as well their capacity to improve the cars and to find the direction to go. So I think this year I don't see any reason not to be optimistic for the rest of the Championship and hopefully a podium, or win, is still possible,” added Alonso.
Google News