Button's Switch

Suffering is Optional

Let's face it, Jenson Button feels he's paid his dues, at least in his own eyes. He's suffered and he now deserves his comeuppance. and to JB, that means money & clout. To me, this is what the move to McLaren is motivated by and is at the core of his decision to move from Brawn. 

Button is a Capricorn, and to Capricorns, money and social standing play underneath as motivational factors. He's spent time in the lower ranks (including self-esteem) so much so that his recent World Championship is viewed as currency to buy himself those deeper personal wishes that are operating beneath the surface. Now with some relief from struggle, he's saying: "Book me in first class please!" Suffering is optional and I think Jenson is negotiating with this.

"My question to Jens is simply this: What are you truly and honestly committed to?"

My guess is that Jens cannot sustain himself motivation-wise unless the team principle can act as a father figure as Ross Brawn clearly does. This is the real currency Button is trading in, exemplified by Ross Brawn's capable leadership to nurture, support and develop talent. I think this is the gift that is often overlooked in Ross - but has been the key to all of Ross' success..
Having said that, I'm not sure that Button has enough to stand on his own and make it happen at McLaren as much as he is trying to compensate for with positive-affirmations to himself. Underneath he's hoping he has enough reserves in order to continue winning. But I say he still needs more support from someone like a Ross Brawn to keep the reserves filled.  I also see as a default motivation: Jenson milking his exit from F1... Don't worry Jens, there's a lucrative TV career guaranteed afterward - so don't worry about the $$ and the status.

"I predict that Jenson will not do as well as everyone, including Jenson, is hoping in 2011."

Let's look at some facts from a personality POV:
1. Jens will now be in the ranks of Hamilton, Alonso, (and possibly Schumacher), Vettel, Massa, and if Ferrari shows up powerfully, I think Jens will be pulling up the back of that pack due to the learning curve of the new team and car.
2. Hamilton is the Golden Child of McLaren. Alonso found that out the hard way a few seasons back. One reason Hamilton won the title is that he overcame the personality race with Alonso in his own back yard.
3. Button is leaving a supporting environment and entering one which already fully supports Hamilton. This is the real challenge as I see it for JB. If he brings a fight to Hamilton, it will undo him faster than anything he does!
4. If Button truly wants to become a multi-World champion as I believe Alonso, Hamilton (& Schumacher?) do, Jenson will have to focus even more on overcoming some of his mental & emotional driving forces so he can focus more on simply driving. This in time, can empower him into taking more risks. 

Jens is a good bloke and I have an enormous admiration for the supportive relationship he has with his father. He can continue on in this journey to being the true champion that he is capable of. We shall see where is commitment lives as the season rolls on.