World Champ Button Says Thanks to Brackley Staff

Jenson Button

Newly crowned Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button made a trip to Brawn GP’s factory in Brackley to say thank you.

“I’m really here today to say a massive well done and thank you to everyone at the team,” Button said. “We’ve worked so hard for these achievements for so many years.

“Some of us were here from the beginning back in 1998 and I arrived halfway through our journey in 2003 but everyone has put so much work in. I know that there have been a lot of very difficult times and over the winter there were times when we didn’t think that we would be here at all.

“It’s very sad that not everyone can be here who worked on this fantastic car. But the team had to become smaller to continue and together we produced a car that has been exceptional this season.”

Button spoke of the emotional extremes he has experienced over the past months.

“To be able to achieve the Constructors’ and the Drivers’ Championships in our first year, especially after such a difficult winter, is an amazing achievement,” he added. “It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions.

“The first few races were magnificent. It looked like it was a walk in the park but it really wasn’t. Then we had some difficult races, especially myself but also as a team where we struggled. But we fought back hard and when we needed to improve the car, you guys did it.

“Rubens [Barrichello] gave us two more wins in Valencia and Monza at an important time to boost our morale and prove just how quick the car was. We have a great leader, a fantastic leader, in Ross. The Big Bear can’t be here today but I know that when he gets back, he’ll be celebrating with you.”

Button secured the World Championship last Sunday at the Brazilian Grand Prix with 5th place finish. The Formula 1 season concludes on November 1st with the Grand Prix of United Arab Emirates.

Source: PlanetF1.com

Michael Schumacher Return Welcomed by Rivals

Michael Schumacher

Forget the radical regulation changes, the withdrawal of BMW from the championship, Felipe Massa’s life-threatening accident and the potential break-up of Formula 1, the focus of Formula 1 is clearly on the return of F1 legend Michael Schumacher.

Schumacher will return to Formula 1 on August 23rd in Valencia, Spain for the European Grand Prix in place of the injured Felipe Massa for Ferrari.

Current Formula 1 drivers are welcoming the return of Schumi.

“It will be good to have Michael back out there racing again,” said Button.

“There are very good people out there racing at the moment, but to have Michael there again will be very special, although I’m sure we all wish Felipe was there also.”

Current Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has also commented on Schumacher’s return, saying it will be an “honour and a privilege” to compete against the F1 “legend.”

“I am excited by the possibility of Michael Schumacher’s return to Formula 1 assuming it happens, but my thoughts are still with Felipe and his family following his terrible accident in Hungary,” said Hamilton.

“Michael is one of the sport’s greatest competitors and a legend in his own right and it would be great to compete against him.

“The whole world will be watching his return to the cockpit in Valencia and it will not only be fascinating to see how he readies himself for his grand prix comeback but also an honour and a privilege to race against him for the very first time. I wish him well.”

Source: PlanetF1.com

Button Confident of Returning to Winning Ways in Hungary

Jenson Button

Jenson Button is looking to get back to his winning ways with at least a podium finish in Hungary for Brawn GP this weekend. The current points championship leader hasn’t finished in the top three in the past two races after starting the season with a blistering pace.

Button scored his first Formula 1 win at the Hungaroring three years ago and didn’t reach the podium until this season after a miserable stint with Honda.

“It’s not a race where I’m going in worried too much,” Button told the Associated Press after the German GP. “I’m going there thinking we do have a really good chance of winning. The Red Bulls are quick, they’ve made improvements, but I don’t think it’s as big as it looks at the moment.”

Source: USAtoday.com

Brawn Reigns Supreme in Melbourne F1 Debut

The Brawn GP debut in Melbourne, Australia couldn’t have been any better. The team finished the race taking the top two spots with Rubens Barrichello finishing 2nd and Jenson Button winning the race from pole. There is still a great deal of controversy regarding the diffusers used by the Brawn GP, Williams and Toyota teams. Ferrari, Red Bull and Renault protested the use of the diffusers stating they were illegal. The race stewards dismissed these claims and decided the diffusers were acceptable according to FIA regulation. It is believed that the protesting teams will follow up with their previous complaint claiming that while the diffusers are technically legal according to the regulations, they violate the “spirit” of the rule.

Nico Rosberg Fastest in First Melbourne Practice Round

Nico Rosberg of Williams-Toyota had the fastest lap in the first 90 minute practice session. His fastest lap was set at 1:26.687. Teammate Kazuki Nakajima had the second fastest lap of 1:26.736, which was 0.049 seconds behind Rosberg. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished 3rd with a time of 1:26.750. Brawn GP team driver Rubens Barrichello had the 4th fastest lap at 1:27.226. The pre-race favorite, Jenson Button, also of Brawn GP, maintained the 6th best lap with 1:27.467.