Formula One news

Button gives Barrichello his number

Jenson Button welcomed new team mate Rubens Barrichello to Honda by offering to hand over his claim on the lead entry number in the team, because it's Barrichello's lucky number.

Honda has been allocated driver numbers 11 and 12 which reflect the team's position in the 2005 Constructors' Championship. The incumbent driver at the team - Button - would be given first refusal on the lead number for the coming season. However, Button learned that Barrichello achieved his first ever race win as number 11 and that all of his karting titles were achieved as number 11, and he won his first race in Formula Ford with this number. Button has handed over his right to number 11 and will race as number 12.

"I have no particular affinity with any number - other than 1 of course, which I hope to race with enormous pride when I achieve my goal of winning the world championship," Button said. "In the meantime, I know how special the number 11 has been to Rubens in his past career and I thought it would be nice to make the gesture. We'll have plenty to be competing for 'on'- track next season. We're good friends already and we're both looking forward to being team-mates. I just hope number 11 isn't too lucky for Rubens next year!"

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