Formula One news

Jenson Button: World Champion

The 2000 Australian Grand Prix may have seen Michael Schumacher collect a win for Ferrari, but it also saw a 20-year-old Englishman impress on his debut for the Williams team before retiring with engine failure. Now, in his tenth Formula One season, Jenson Button is World Champion.

After 170 Grands Prix, Jenson Button has achieved the lifelong ambition held by so many racing drivers but which only a select few will ever realise. From Williams to Benetton, Renault, B.A.R and Honda, it wouldn't be until Button and his entire team risked losing everything in F1 for a dream to finally come true.

Brazil 2008: The dream would be only 12 months away...

December 2008: Honda announces its withdrawal from Formula One. Panic is instantly sparked at the Brackley base of its Formula One team - will it be on the grid in March? Will a buyer be found in time? Will a buyer be found at all? Those were just three of the questions going through the minds of employees as the team continued developing the BGP 001, the car which would miraculously clinch both of this year's titles.

Ross Brawn, Brawn GP Team Principal

With Ross Brawn stepping in to take the helm, significant financial backing from Honda and two very experienced drivers in the cockpits, a non-F1 fan would think that Brawn GP's maiden season had always been under control. Even the most dedicated of supporters must be reminded, however, that even the black overalls worn by the team's most senior members were purchased only the week before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

As for Button, an impressive opening season with Williams in 2000 promised much although a disastrous campaign was to follow with Benetton in 2001, dogged by an off-the-pace car for the season. A Renault buyout looked promising for 2002, and Button indeed shone alongside Jarno Trulli, although the Englishman was sacked by team boss and then manager Flavio Briatore to make way for Fernando Alonso before the end of the season. Another setback.

David Richards, the man who signed Button at B.A.R for 2003

For 2003, David Richards threw Button the lifeline which would, six years later, see him racing for Brawn in 2009. As Button joined B.A.R, regular outclassings of Champion team-mate Jacques Villeneuve allowed the Frome man to lead the team in 2004, a superb season which saw only the mighty Ferrari pairing of Michael Schumacher and a certain Rubens Barrichello ahead come season's end.

The 2004 campaign will also be remembered, however, for the one in which Button seemingly deceived the team built around him by announcing a switch to Williams for the following season - one which the Contract Recognition Board subsequently blocked, without knowledge of its consequences half a decade down the line.

Hungary 2006: The much-doubted first Grand Prix win

With a move to Williams free for 2006, Jenson surprised all again in 2005 by revealing his desire to stay put - a decision which appeared to have been so wrong in the seasons which followed; with 2006 featuring early promise, a maiden win in Hungary to end a mid-season drop and an ultra-competitive final third of the season, the 2007 and 2008 campaigns saw 'Our Jense' act as an also ran, with December's news from Honda being the icing on a very sour cake.

Australia 2009: Brawn GP rocks F1 with a crushing maiden victory

And so to 2009, in a nutshell: The world is stunned by the white cars' pace in Barcelona pre-season testing before being even more transfixed by an all-Brawn front row lockout in Australia, which subsequently translates to an unbelievable one-two finish. Button then becomes the first man to win a race whilst sitting on the grid just one week later, after a rain-soaked and halted Malaysian Grand Prix.

Brazil 2009: Mission accomplished

As the Red Bull challenge started in China, it soon looked like a mere fluke as Button and Brawn commanding won the next four races in Bahrain, Spain, Monaco and Turkey. The job story since Silverstone in July, however, has seen Jenson marooned in the midfield with the exception of one second place in Italy. However, the inconsistency of rivals aided the man who has led since the off as Barrichello, Vettel and Mark Webber shared the wins, split by successes for ex Champions Hamilton and Räikkönen.

The 2009 season may have seen the Champion start strongly and seemingly fade, although the man with the most points and race wins came out on top. Jenson still faces being the lowest-scoring winner since Mika Häkkinen a decade ago although, after 17 races, one thing cannot change in Abu Dhabi: Jenson Button is World Champion and the second consecutive British winner for 40 years. Perhaps one should repeat that...Jenson Button: World Champion.

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