Newz Forum: AUTO: Jenson Button enjoying success

Jenson Button could replace Michael Schumacher at Ferrari, according to team technical director Ross Brawn. Button has enjoyed a stunning start to the season for BAR, culminating in pole position and second place at the San Marino Grand Prix at the weekend.

Button is now third place in the world championship standings with 23 points, 17 behind Schumacher, the runaway leader. Prior to the season, the English driver had not managed a podium finish but, in his last three races, has boasted two third places and a runners-up spot.

After bursting on to the scene with Williams in a remarkable blaze of glory, Button was farmed out to Benetton to make way for Montoya and, in many respects, it could be said to have been the making of him.Button was quickly brought down to earth, the 'Frome Flier' as he became known, finding his wings clipped as the early success was painfully overshadowed by failure, not his own, but that of a team unable to provide him with the right equipment.BAR team principal Dave Richards has helped turn Formula One's playboy, whose penchant for fast living once appeared to outpace his speed on the race track, into a driver more deserving of the role-model status he is currently acquiring.Button was perhaps disillusioned when he first joined BAR. However, Richards has given him the space to rediscover the zest for driving he feels will lead to him knocking on the world title door sooner rather than later.