Button vs. Hamilton vs. Schumacher

So the 2010 season is upon us and the 2 questions on everybody's lips are; can Button actually beat Hamilton? Can Michael Schumacher make a successful comeback?

To address the first of these issues, the answer is questionable. Jenson Button is the current world champion and the man they all have to beat. But this season is a new dawn for the Englishman as he has moved to the McLaren team alongside fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton. It is generally recognised that Button won the championship last year because of his stunning form at the start of the season, winning 6 of the first 7 races. Having said this, he did not win again for the rest of the season but consistency kept him in the hunt for the title. McLaren had an exceptionally poor season by their high standards last season but this could be a blessing in disguise. The team have been developing their 2010 car much longer than team's such as Mercedes (formally Brawn) or Red Bull. I expect McLaren to be a world championship winning team in 2010 and I fully expect the third British world champion in as many years. But who will this be?

For me, Lewis Hamilton is without doubt the quickest driver in the field, but can lack the consistency and the cool head when required. In my opinion, Jenson Button cannot beat Hamilton for pace when they're driving the same car, but I believe that consistency will be the key. Having said this, Hamilton is my favourite to beat Button and win the world championship and become a 2-time world champion.

Michael Schumacher is for most, the greatest driver ever to have raced a Formula One car. The German makes an astonishing comeback this season after 3 years in the wilderness. He will race for the Mercedes team that won the world championship last year and will once again team up with Ross Brawn. Brawn has masterminded all but 3 of Schumachers race victories and will doubtless be hoping to add to that tally. I do find it very ominous that the 7-time world champion is driving for the current world champions and teamed with arguably the best engineer in the pitlane.

Schumacher's fitness will come under scrutiny in the next 10 months having been involved in motorbike accident last year. Schumacher was originally due to make his comeback in 2009 to replace the injured Felipe Massa, but had to abort the plan as it was revealed that his neck would not cope with immense g-forces that he would be subjected to.

My prediction: Hamilton to win the world championship, Schumacher 3rd and Button a distant 5th.