[joe-salton]

He did not say that those are your words

Quite true, they are my words (I also provided the direct quote) but I think they're a reasonable summary of what he said. Why? Because:

"our teams have been and are world champions" - who else is he referring to but Renault, Ferrari and McLaren?

"the championship is now fought between..." - he's making a comparison between this season, and previous years when "our teams" were winning

"I don't know where credibility has ended up with all this" - what credibility is he questioning other than a 2009 championship headed by Brawn drivers?

He's telling an Italian publication what they want to here.

So? To me it still comes across as sour grapes. His team did not come up with the diffuser solution. They're languishing back in the pack, and the chances are Alonso will be gone if this level of performance continues.

The only person whining is Briatore.

[RilmAlime67]

Flavio Briatore is like Cristiano Ronaldo Ronaldo sometimes says funny things

That is the cruelest thing anyone has ever said about Ronaldo. God, being lumped together with Sleazy Flav.

[RilmAlime67]

Rubens is quite right. Where were the Renaults today, 16th and 19th?

Flav's bricks can't even keep up with the non bodgy diffuser brigade - how sad is that.

[joe-salton]

He knows Button better than any of us, and he did sent Button packing because he just wasn't good enough.

Maybe, maybe not, but 1) that was at the end of 2002 - a long time ago, 2) Button has since proved he is more than good enough, 3) Briatore had Alonso waiting in the wings, 4) this all misses the point.

The point, very simply, is that IMHO there is no issue of credibility over this year's championship. Brawn and their drivers deserve to be where they are today. They've come through a tough winter, produced a fantastic (legal) car, and are producing the results.

Still, it's just another Briatore soundbite

[Amerworma]

Flavio always makes a lot of noise, but he´s right in a way. Its good that Brawn hasnt got a top tier pairing. If that was the case, I wouldnt watch a single race, since the titles would be decided already. No Im not sure yet.

Just wondering if 2009 will be remembered as a year when titles were decided on technical details? Jenson -should he win- would always be called the diffusor champion.

Right? At least the last 2 wdc´s were decided on track.

[autoloanexpert]

That is the cruelest thing anyone has ever said about Ronaldo. God, being lumped together with Sleazy Flav.

So sorry, Valve. I didn't want in insult Ronaldo...

[XqrkN4a0]

He's a character - I'll give him that. And with that in mind, its good for F1 to have characters who speak their mind.

I find it funny how people complain that F1 is full of PR speak and people aren't allowed to show any character, and when we have a few who do speak their mind, they get criticised if their opinion isn't the same as whose doing the criticism.

Talking of team principles, Whitmarsh has impressed me a lot in his Q&A sessions, he comes across very honest, heartfelt and like a genuinely nice guy.

Latest being found http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/74505

With him and SD at the head of the leading teams, both seem to be totally opposite to Todt and Dennis, in that they're much more likable characters.

[barsikjal]

Mario and Stefano thinks the same way as Flavio, only they don't have the balls to say it in public

[Bridgester]

Mario and Stefano thinks the same way as Flavio, only they don't have the balls to say it in public

Exactly.

[KeestRast]

Does this make you go that low and call him an arse?!
He knows Button better than any of us, and he did sent Button packing because he just wasn't good enough.

Button still outscored Trulli in 2002.

[RilmAlime67]

Mario and Stefano thinks the same way as Flavio, only they don't have the balls to say it in public

Flavio has balls - since when??

[Vikonbarius]

Jenson talking to Autosport:

"Unless he is at the front of F1, I am sure [he thinks] any team [being there] hurts the credibility of F1," Button told reporters in Shanghai. "He also needs to remember that he tried to employ me for this year, so..."

[RogHammon]

Does this make you go that low and call him an arse?!
He knows Button better than any of us, and he did sent Button packing because he just wasn't good enough.

Maybe he was wrong?

There have been plenty of people who have wanted Button's services over the years, including Sir Frank.

I know which one I trust more.

[Bridgester]

Maybe he was wrong?

There have been plenty of people who have wanted Button's services over the years, including Sir Frank.

I know which one I trust more.

For now the Button was wanted only by 2 teams, is that plenty of them?
He also was sent home by one team.
It doesn't look like he is some kind of hot property for anyone.

And when Flavio says that Button can't compare with the champions that drive for Renault, McLaren and Ferrari I can only agree with him, Jenson is no match for Alonso, Hamilton, Raikkonen and I would add Massa, Vettel, Webber,Trulli and Glock to the list without any hesitation.

[Frodogzzz]

Sounds like Flavour needs to trade in his current supermodel for a new one, cause he obviously isint getting any legover at the moment.

[joe-salton]

Button:

He's a character - I'll give him that. And with that in mind, its good for F1 to have characters who speak their mind.

I find it funny how people complain that F1 is full of PR speak and people aren't allowed to show any character, and when we have a few who do speak their mind, they get criticised if their opinion isn't the same as whose doing the criticism.

Fair point

[Bridgester]

What? Button was to be Alonso's next lap dog?!
if I were Jenson I would have never said it publicly.

[pouslytut]

You've got to love Flavio's ability to deflect from his own team's shortcomings. Maybe he should look nearer to home for the reasons they're struggling rather than blaming those who are successful.

[autoloanexpert]

Jenson owned him in his comments, as well as Rubens and still they manage to be polite. The difference - style

[autoloanexpert]

I don't want to sound rude, but nobody forces Flav to develop KERS or the diffusers. Its his choice. To be on top is expensive. Check how many people worked at Brawn GP.