Jenson Button claims motor sport's ultimate prize after dramatic drive in Brazilian Grand Prix

Published on Sunday 18 October 2009 23:11

JENSON Button finally has his hands on the Formula One world title following a pulsating Brazilian Grand Prix last night.

A combination of brilliant driving and dramatic incidents elevated Button into fifth place, with his title rivals Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello finishing fourth and eighth respectively.

Button now becomes the tenth British driver to claim motor sport's greatest prize, inheriting the crown from last year's winner, Lewis Hamilton.

The 29-year-old may not have wrapped it up in the way he would have liked, having won six of the first seven races, but he is now world champion.

On a stunning day for Brawn GP, they also claimed the constructors' title just over ten months after they appeared to be on the scrapheap when Honda pulled out of the sport.

As Button crossed the line after 71 remarkable laps at Interlagos, he broke into a rendition of Queen's We Are The Champions before repeating the boast "We're champions, we're champions".

The euphoric driver said: "It's really amazing, especially after the last few races I've had. This makes up for it, it was such an awesome race and I'm world champion, baby! Twenty-one years ago I jumped in a car and I loved winning. I never expected to be world champion in F1 but we've done it."

He added: "The last few races have been a bit stressful for me. I didn't win the race but I came through.

"It's the most amazing day and I thank the fans for their support, and most of all a big thank you to my family and my girlfriend, Jessica.

"Yesterday after qualifying I felt sick because of how tough it was but it made it all better today."

Team-mate Barrichello had started in pole position with Button way back in 14th place, and the Brazilian looked poised to take the championship to the final race in Abu Dhabi. But he lost his lead in the first round of pit stops, dropping to third behind Webber and Kubica. And from that moment it all went wrong, in contrast to Button as the race and the title came to him. The championship was ultimately in the bag when Barrichello pitted late on for a third time due to a slow puncture.

From that moment it was a cruise to the line for Button, who was ecstatic after emerging from his car.

Barrichello was the first to congratulate his team-mate as they gave each other a bear hug and slaps on the back.

Emotional team boss Ross Brawn broke down in tears after the race, barely able to comprehend the size of his achievement.

Brawn said: "It's still got to sink in. It will take a while... It's just special. Very special.

"The work the team did over the winter... all the people who couldn't be with us because we had to resize the team after the winter, my thanks go to them. I hope they have enjoyed it because they have been part of what we've done."

Sir Jackie Stewart, three times world champion in 1969, 1971 and 1973, said: "A big congratulations to Jenson Button, he did everything he had to do. He picked up nine places from his lowly grid position, he came through to clinch the World Championship. It's always better to get it under your belt."

Sir Jackie also congratulated the Brawn team for winning the constructors' championship and added: "I couldn't be happier for Jenson, it's 40 years since there's been a British champion back-to-back. I was that person, I took it over from Graham Hill, he's now taken it over from Lewis Hamilton. He must be really thrilled."

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "I want to send my warmest congratulations to Jenson Button. We can be proud that Jenson is the tenth British driver to win the title. His performances over the season with the new Brawn team have excited Formula One fans in Britain and across the world, and we look forward to his continuing success in the seasons ahead."

The race was won by Red Bull's Mark Webber ahead of BMW Sauber's Kubica. Hamilton was third from 17th on the grid, with Vettel fourth and Button fifth.