Bookmakers write-off Button hopes

Williams new-boy Jenson Button has been written off by British bookmakers on the eve of the new Formula 1 season

Feb 23, 2000, 5:11 PM

The 20-year-old will start his first Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 12, but the nation's bookies believe there is more chance of alien lifeform being discovered within the next five years than Button winning the title.

Coral believes the Button has a 100-1 chance of winning the 2000 Formula 1 world championship.

Meanwhile, Ladbrokes quotes Button as 150-1 - with the discovery of aliens rated at 50-1.

A Ladbrokes spokesman said: "He has had a lot of publicity - but it is his first season so we think his chances are low."

Title favourite is Michael Schumacher (11-10), with Mika Hakkinen second favourite - quoted at 5-4 by Coral and 13-8 by Ladbrokes.

David Coulthard is third favourite, with Coral claiming Rubens Barrichello to be fourth - unlike Ladbrokes who put Heinz-Harald Frentzen ahead of the Brazilian.

Jarno Trulli is 33-1, with Eddie Irvine between 33-1 and 40-1.