By Phil Huff
October 18 2006

Formula One's top man, Bernie Ecclestone, feels that Jenson Button can be a superstar for the sport - the Honda Racing F1 driver just needs to work a bit harder. Jenson, who has scored more points since Germany than any driver bar Michael Schumacher, has yet to prove himself in the eyes of many fans, including Bernie Ecclestone.

"Maybe he is flattering the car," explains Bernie to The Times, "but I think he's been around long enough now - he's got to make his mark. If he does, there is no reason why he can't be a superstar for us. He's got all the qualities in and outside the car."

Giving the British driver a slightly backhanded compliment, he continued "I would say that Jenson is much like the old-time drivers. The Graham Hill type of driver with all the talent that they need, except nowadays you've got to be dedicated, too."

"Michael has given up so much to achieve what he has achieved," adds Ecclestone, illustrating his point. "He is dedicated to what he is and puts himself under an awful lot of pressure. He'll win a race and next day start testing. I'm not sure whether Jenson is prepared to do that."

"If you look at his achievements or results, they are mostly the product of people stopping in front of him rather than Jenson overtaking - the team and Jenson need to make a little bit better effort."

Jenson has made 16 valid overtaking moves this season, excluding any lap one or pitstop gains, one less than Michael Schumacher and 11 more than Fernando Alonso. Sadly, Button has been passed 16 times, against four and three times for Schumacher and Alonso respectively. However, on any measurement we can think of, Button is beating his most important competitor - Rubens Barrichello.