Auto Car | Jenson Button is 2009 F1 World Champion | The Brazilian Grand Prix has again proved decisive in the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship. In 2007, gearbox problems denied Lewis Hamilton the drivers’ title in his debut season and Kimi Raikkonen was crowned champion. In 2008, Hamilton claimed his crown at the Brazilian Grand Prix and now nearing the end of the 2009 season, Hamilton hands over the mantle to another British racer, Jenson Button.
In late 2008, Honda decided for business reasons to end its association with Formula 1. The team’s results were poor, ending the 2008 season with a mere 14 points (over 150 less than 2008 Constructors’ Champions, Ferrari). The future looked bleak for Jenson Button and many fans and commentators were wondering if the Frome born racer would be seen in Formula 1 in 2009.
Ross Brawn had been hired as team principal by Honda for the 2008 season. When Honda left Formula 1, the former technical director at Ferrari during the Michael Schumacher golden years was able to buy the team and Brawn GP was born. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, Honda’s 2008 drivers were confirmed as race drivers for the 2009 season.
Powered by Mercedes-Benz engines, Brawn GP had no major sponsor at the start of the season; however a one season sponsorship deal with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group was announced at the Australian Grand Prix.
After the lows of the lean Honda years, the opening race of the 2009 Formula 1 Season must have seemed like manna from Heaven for Jenson Button. A car that was quick from the off and finally allowed Button to showcase the skills that his fans had been pointing to for many years. Button led a Brawn GP pole and race 1-2 with Rubens Barrichello.
Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota had built their 2009 cars with double diffusers. In the early races of the season, this appeared to give a performance advantage and an appeal was lodged with the FIA International Court of Appeal. The FIA found that the double diffuser cars were legal.
The 2009 F1 season featured four fly-away races at the start of the season, Australia, Malaysia, China and Bahrain. Button won three out of the four, Vettel took out these Chinese Grand Prix. Returning to Europe, Button kept winning taking out the Spanish Grand Prix and the jewel in the F1 crown, the Monaco Grand Prix. Both races were 1-2 victories for Brawn GP. After Monaco, the cars were packed up and taken to Turkey, were Button was again victorious. Turkey was the end of Button’s run of victories and his results took a dip during the mid part of the season.
Although Jenson Button retained the lead in the 2009 F1 Drivers’ Championship, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber launched challenges as did Button’s teammate, Rubens Barrichello. Vettel, Webber and Barrichello all scoring race wins during the latter stages of the season.
The penultimate race weekend of the season started with three drivers who were in a position to win the championship, Button, Barrichello and Vettel. Qualifying took place in monsoon like conditions and Button and Vettel lost out badly qualifying 14 and 16 respectively. Hometown hero, Barrichello was able to put his Brawn GP car on pole, giving him his best chance to take the crown from Button’s grasp.
Race day Sunday was a bright and sunny day but would Button be able to claim his championship? Rubens Barrichello led the race from the start however a late puncture ruined his championship chances and he eventually finished 8th. An early incident between Sutil and Trulli brought out the safety car but once racing resumed, Button drove masterfully to move from 14th to his eventual 5th place finish. An off-key rendition over team radio of Queen's We Are The Champions started Button's celebrations.
Jenson Button became the 10th British driver to win the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship and with Lewis Hamilton becomes the first British back to back drivers’ champions since Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart in 1968 and 1969 respectively. Brawn GP took out the 2009 Formula 1 Constructors Championship
Source : www.suite101.com
In late 2008, Honda decided for business reasons to end its association with Formula 1. The team’s results were poor, ending the 2008 season with a mere 14 points (over 150 less than 2008 Constructors’ Champions, Ferrari). The future looked bleak for Jenson Button and many fans and commentators were wondering if the Frome born racer would be seen in Formula 1 in 2009.
Ross Brawn had been hired as team principal by Honda for the 2008 season. When Honda left Formula 1, the former technical director at Ferrari during the Michael Schumacher golden years was able to buy the team and Brawn GP was born. Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello, Honda’s 2008 drivers were confirmed as race drivers for the 2009 season.
Powered by Mercedes-Benz engines, Brawn GP had no major sponsor at the start of the season; however a one season sponsorship deal with Richard Branson’s Virgin Group was announced at the Australian Grand Prix.
After the lows of the lean Honda years, the opening race of the 2009 Formula 1 Season must have seemed like manna from Heaven for Jenson Button. A car that was quick from the off and finally allowed Button to showcase the skills that his fans had been pointing to for many years. Button led a Brawn GP pole and race 1-2 with Rubens Barrichello.
Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota had built their 2009 cars with double diffusers. In the early races of the season, this appeared to give a performance advantage and an appeal was lodged with the FIA International Court of Appeal. The FIA found that the double diffuser cars were legal.
The 2009 F1 season featured four fly-away races at the start of the season, Australia, Malaysia, China and Bahrain. Button won three out of the four, Vettel took out these Chinese Grand Prix. Returning to Europe, Button kept winning taking out the Spanish Grand Prix and the jewel in the F1 crown, the Monaco Grand Prix. Both races were 1-2 victories for Brawn GP. After Monaco, the cars were packed up and taken to Turkey, were Button was again victorious. Turkey was the end of Button’s run of victories and his results took a dip during the mid part of the season.
Although Jenson Button retained the lead in the 2009 F1 Drivers’ Championship, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber launched challenges as did Button’s teammate, Rubens Barrichello. Vettel, Webber and Barrichello all scoring race wins during the latter stages of the season.
The penultimate race weekend of the season started with three drivers who were in a position to win the championship, Button, Barrichello and Vettel. Qualifying took place in monsoon like conditions and Button and Vettel lost out badly qualifying 14 and 16 respectively. Hometown hero, Barrichello was able to put his Brawn GP car on pole, giving him his best chance to take the crown from Button’s grasp.
Race day Sunday was a bright and sunny day but would Button be able to claim his championship? Rubens Barrichello led the race from the start however a late puncture ruined his championship chances and he eventually finished 8th. An early incident between Sutil and Trulli brought out the safety car but once racing resumed, Button drove masterfully to move from 14th to his eventual 5th place finish. An off-key rendition over team radio of Queen's We Are The Champions started Button's celebrations.
Jenson Button became the 10th British driver to win the Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship and with Lewis Hamilton becomes the first British back to back drivers’ champions since Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart in 1968 and 1969 respectively. Brawn GP took out the 2009 Formula 1 Constructors Championship
Source : www.suite101.com
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