Trouble brewing at McLaren? Hope so!

I used to be a big fan of Formula One, back in the Mansell, Senna and Prost days. They were characters. Yes, even Mansell with his deadpan voice.

Then the characters left the sport, just as they have in snooker, and I drifted away. Not for me the non-entity that was Damon Hill or the machine that was Michael Schumacher.

Then, over the last few of seasons, my interest was piqued again…

A remarkably young Lewis Hamilton threatened to clinch the world championship and then did. He was quickly followed by a somewhat arrogant but likeable Jenson Button. And chasing them both are the likes of Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel in amazing cars.

I’ll admit that a bit of patriotism also helps spark the interest too. But the emergence of new teams is also a breath of fresh air alongside the new stars of Formula One.

But THIS season threatens to be the best for years. Why? Because Button and Hamilton are in the same team and when winners like that get together, there are usually fireworks. Especially when there is a team with a faster car and competent drivers applying the pressure, thank you very much Red Bull and Webber/Vettel.

Button, the reigning world champion, had already served notice to Hamilton, the former world champion, that he was not about to play second fiddle to him McLaren Mercedes with his victory in Austria. In that race, Button made the right decisions, but Hamilton drove the better race. Nevertheless, McLaren can be considered Hamilton’s team but no way is Button not going to fight for his title.

On Sunday, however, it was a different story. Button was magnificent. So was Hamilton but in a real race situation in wet, difficult conditions, Button came out on top. Hamilton will not be happy, no matter how much he publicly supports his team mate. His kind never is unless he’s on top.

McLaren themselves will now be reassessing where they put the most effort this season. As every team does, whether consciously or not, McLaren will no doubt have considered Hamilton their Number One driver for this season. Button has thrown that thinking out of the window with two victories.

Now we just sit back and watch – the blue touch paper has been lit between the two drivers and it is, I reckon, only a matter of time before it explodes. Also watching with keen interest will be the likes of Fernando Alonso, the aforementioned Webber and Vettel, Ferrari and Red Bull.

Yes, this could well be the best season in Formula One for many a year…

Where do you see the title going and what do you expect to happen throughout the season at McLaren? Let us know in the comments.