Difference between revisions of "Jenson Button"

Revision as of 10:21, 30 March 2019

Jenson Alexander Lyons Button (born 19 January 1980 in Frome, Somerset, UK) is a British racing driver who took part in fifteen Formula One seasons, from 2000-2012 and 2014-2015.

Formula One

2000: Williams

Button made his Formula One debut in 2000 with BMW WilliamsF1 Team, having spent the previous year as a Test Driver with British American Racing. Button was joined by German driver Ralf Schumacher, whom had joined the British team the year before.

Button's first Grand Prix would be a great success, taking a third place in Australia following the retirement of championship protagonists Michael Schumacher and Jack Christopherson. Button then followed this up with a fourth place in Brazil, before going on a run of non-scores. A sixth in German Grand Prix was soon bettered by another third place finish, this time in Belgium - which was followed by a fifth in the Japanese Grand Prix. Button finished his first F1 season on equal points with his more experienced teammate, and was placed ninth in the World Driver's Championship.

2001-2002: Benetton-Arrows & Renault

2001

Despite an impressive 2000, Williams saw Sauber's Australian youngster Rhys Davies the more promising prospect - meaning Button moved across the Benetton-Arrows outfit, whom had recently been purchased by Renault. Button teamed with Spanish rookie Fernando Alonso - whom was managed by Benetton team principal Flavio Briatore.

Despite the pair's enthusiasm and hunger, the Arrows failed to match Button and Alonso's desires and the pair were only able to take a single point each all season.

2002

2002 saw Button symbolically demoted to the second seat at the newly-named Mild Seven Renault F1 Team, as it became clear that Alonso was being favoured at the French outfit by Briatore. However, Button took the first points for Renault, with a fifth place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix. Another fifth followed several races later in the European Grand Prix - which was soon bettered by an incredibly popular third place at Button's home race in Great Britain, Renault's best finish of the season.

However, despite this strong result - Button's frustration with the team hierarchy combined with more consistent showings from Alonso meant that the Briton would leave Renault at the end of 2002.

2003-2004: Toyota

Button was unveiled alongside fellow Brit Jack Christopherson as part of an all-new lineup for Toyota in their second season in F1. Button was certainly the more consistent one of the pair, benefiting from the points scoring positions being extended to eight. Button would take Toyota's first podium finish at the San Marino Grand Prix - but would once again take ninth in the WDC.

Button continued for a second season with Toyota in 2004 where he took a further third place finish - this time in Malaysia on his way to sixth place.

2005-2006: Williams

Button swapped seats with Ralf Schumacher in 2005, with the Briton headed to Williams whilst Schumacher moved in the opposite direction to Toyota. Button was in the second seat alongside 2003 World Champion Rhys Davies - so this was arguably Button's toughest test as a teammate so far. Button made an early breakthrough when he took the flag in Malaysia - his first career win - and managed a further two podiums in what was ultimately a frustrating season where early promise didn't blossom into much more. Button finished this season in ninth place.

A switch from BMW Power to Cosworth beckoned in 2006, but this didn't provide many opportunities for decent results - with Button only managing three points finishes all season - enough for 16th place.

2007: Renault

Button returned to Renault in 2007, racing alongside Nick Heidfeld. Renault were effectively the "best of the rest" behind Ferrari, McLaren and BMW Sauber which meant Button was a consistent scorer and a regular feature on the podium when the big teams failed - taking a third place in Spain as well as two second places in France and Turkey. Button finished the season in fifth overall with Renault in third once McLaren were removed from the constructor's standings.

2008-2009: Williams, Honda & Brawn GP

Button found himself the target of a bid from Honda in the off-season by virtue of his good image in Japan from his run with Toyota. Honda placed Button back at Williams for yet another season at the Grove team - who were about to start their second season as Honda customers. Button was also picked as Honda's reserve driver - should he be required. The Williams package was fairly middling in the hands of Button and Davies - with Button's best being a pair of fourth place finishes.

Button's position on the grid was at risk in the 2009 off-season when Honda announced they would be pulling their works team out of Formula One as a result of the Global Economic Crisis in 2008. Button was set to move across to the works outfit alongside Fernando Alonso but as it stood there was no team for him once Williams announced Luca Badoer as his replacement. An eleventh hour takeover by a consortium led by Ross Brawn saw Button drive for the newly formed Brawn GP team alongside New Zealander Frank Zimmer. The team retained Honda engines but had no sponsorship and was funded by the sale of Alonso's contract to Ferrari but this was only a short term fix. However, the car was a revelation at the beginning of the season and Button scored five wins in the first seven races with Red Bull Racing the only real challenger. Despite this sensational start, Button's season came to a crashing halt when he was set to be replaced by Saudi minor prince Saeed Al Faisal in a bid to save the team. Al Faisal was an inexperienced amateur GT racer and as such was refused a superlicence by the FIA which brought the fairytale story of Brawn GP to a close.

Button returned to Williams at the British Grand Prix, where he'd see out the rest of the season.