Button and Alonso uninterested in second place
The Briton and the Spaniard both insist that second place is not an objective in itself. While Button will aim for victory until the end of the season, Alonso seems to have lowered his expectations and is looking towards 2012.
The Indian Grand Prix saw the arrival, under the checkered flag, of the four drivers currently in the top four places in the World Drivers’ Championship, in the same order, with Sebastian Vettel ahead of Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso, and Mark Webber, each therefore consolidating their position in the standings.
Since the two world titles have been awarded, the purely honorary title of vice-world champion now seems to be the last goal to reach for former contenders to the world crown, and yet, in their post-race statements, neither Jenson Button nor Fernando Alonso seem genuinely interested in this meager consolation. “Firstly, congratulations to the team that secured second place,” says Jenson Button about the second place in the constructors’ standings that is now certain to go to McLaren-Mercedes. “It’s always sad to congratulate oneself for second place, but it makes a difference for the constructors before starting a new season. Being second in the drivers’ standings is less important. I think that when you’ve won the championship, nothing really matters anymore except for first place. […] Second place is when you’ve beaten everyone except one person, that exact person you really want to beat.”
Fernando Alonso, currently in third place, has already expressed his thoughts on second place and reiterated them in a press conference: « Second place is definitely possible, for sure, because there are 50 points still up for grabs, but as I said a few races ago, finishing second might be better than fifth [but] I wouldn’t remember 2011 more if I’m second or third. I would probably remember the victory at Silverstone and some of the nice starts I had or a few great races, but the position in the championship, once the title race is over, doesn’t really matter anymore. »
As with Jenson Button, the Spaniard recently expressed his intention to secure another victory before the end of the season to bolster a rather sparse 2011 record, despite his win at Silverstone, but he seems to have now lowered his ambitions: « I think we are going to try to have two good last races and be on the podium if we can. It’s always a good feeling to taste the champagne and take a trophy after a tough weekend, because it has been one […] We know the car is no longer as competitive as it was a few months ago, but we are still fighting for podiums. »
The native of Oviedo will certainly not say no to a victory if the opportunity presented itself, but he is, in reality, no longer focused on 2011: « Our priority will be 2012! »
