Jenson Button
Name: Jenson Alexander Lyons Button
Nationality: British
Date of Birth: January 19, 1980 in Frome Somerset
Resides: Guernsey
Series: Formula 1
Car: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-26
Jenson Button
Jenson Button enters 2011 with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team hoping to build on an impressive first season. Two victories early on and a consistent string of podiums for the McLaren's team served as proof that the former champion is still very much at the height of his powers. This year, Button’s sole aim is world title number two, and the 31 year old will need to rely on over a decade of F1 experience to come out top in what looks set to be another epic season of F1.
Big Moment
With Jenson Button now in his 13th season of F1, he has enjoyed many memorable moments in motor racing’s top league.
In 2010, two victories for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes in difficult conditions served to highlight Button’s world class car control and expert tactical abilities in a race situation. In Australia, Button’s inspired decision to switch to slick tyres early on after a damp start began his season off strongly. Jenson repeated his success with a masterly display of wet weather in China.
Whilst Button’s strong form in 2010 affirmed his abilities, it will be his world title in 2009 which will live in the fans’ memories. With 6 victories in the first half of the 2009 season, Jenson had one hand on the F1 crown. However, his team mate Rubens Barrichello and the likes of Sebastien Vettel at Red Bull racing were catching up. The media was starting to speculate as to whether Jenson’s lack of wins in the second half of the year was down to nerves. The Brazilian Grand Prix in October was Button’s chance to clinch the title, but 14th on the grid would make it a very hard race. What followed was a storming drive, and a master class in overtaking. Button took 5th place, enough to secure the championship and with this success, his critics were silenced.
TV Show
Jenson Button first appeared on Mobil 1 the Grid as Brawn GP’s champion elect in 2009, and we caught up with him the following season to learn about his switch to the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team. After two wins in his first year with the team, our cameras returned to the McLaren Technology Centre recently to learn about the 31 year old’s 2011 ambitions.
Quote
With the return of KERS and the introduction of adjustable rear wings, 2011 sees new regulations being introduced. Life for a modern F1 driver has never been so complicated in the cockpit and Jenson gave us his expert opinion.
"Before the 2011 season, you know, it was pretty busy inside the cockpit for us anyway. We have so many different buttons on the steering wheel but we also have levers in other places and buttons in other places off of the steering wheel, so it’s pretty hectic. But now you have the movable rear wing and you also have the KERS Hybrid System. It’s very exciting to play with these new tools and the power that you get from KERS is sort of almost 80 horsepower and the rear wing – it makes the car very efficient in a straight line, so you’re gaining a lot of speed in a straight line, but it does make the steering wheel a lot busier. You’re pulling buttons, pushing buttons, switches and what have you and it’s busy but it’s part of it. It’s very different than it used to be back in sort of the 60’s and 70’s where they didn’t really have any buttons on the steering wheel at all. You get used to it though and it’s something that we all have to deal with.’’
Detail
2011 Stays with Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for a second season.
2010 Joins Vodafone McLaren Mercedes and scores victories in Australia and China.
2009 Brawn GP – World Champion with 6 wins, 9 podiums and 4 pole positions
2006 Button takes his first F1 win in Hungary for the Honda Racing F1 Team
2003 Button joins the BAR Honda team
2002 Button’s Benetton team is renamed Renault F1
2001 Moves to Benetton Renault
2000 F1 Debut with BMW Williams F1
