Lewis Hamilton & Jenson Button hopeful for Singapore GP

Title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are hopeful of a strong showing at the Singapore Grand Prix.

They believe modifications to their car will improve its pace at the street track after McLaren struggled at similar circuits earlier in the year.

Hamilton said: "We head into the weekend with renewed confidence following some positive tests and some developments in the wind tunnel."
Button added that "a lot had changed" since McLaren's poor race in Hungary.
The Hungaroring, like Singapore, is a low-speed track requiring high-downforce and McLaren were nearly two seconds off the pace set by Red Bull at that race in July, and 0.5secs slower than Ferrari.

But following a controversy over flexible bodywork, teams have been forced to make modifications to their cars and McLaren believe this will hit Red Bull and, to a lesser extent, Ferrari.
In addition, McLaren are introducing some major aerodynamic developments to their car that they hope will make it more competitive.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said he was "feeling positive that we'll once again be in a position to race at the front".
Hamilton, who crashed out of the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday, heads into the Singapore race on 26 September five points adrift of Red Bull's championship leader Mark Webber.
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso is third, followed by Button and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel. All five are covered by just 24 points - less than a driver earns for a win.

Button said: "The Singapore Grand Prix will be a very interesting weekend because I think it'll give us a clearer idea of the destiny of the world championship.

"The last time we were at a low-speed, high-downforce track was in Hungary back at the start of August.
"Our car wasn't particularly competitive there, and maybe we haven't had a properly representative view of the top teams' relative pace because we've just visited two high-speed circuits.
"But, equally, a lot has changed since that race in Budapest - not least, some quite hefty revisions to the rulebook regarding bodywork flexibility and, additionally, a lot of work by the engineers at McLaren to ensure our car is now better suited to slower circuits.
"Singapore will be interesting for all of us - we'll not only get an idea of the speed of the Ferrari and Red Bull, but we'll get to see for the first time whether all our efforts over the past two months have helped put us back in the ballpark at high-downforce tracks."

Hamilton, who won in Singapore last year, added: "It's difficult to say accurately how competitive we'll be in Singapore.
"If Monza most closely resembled a track like Canada, then Singapore is far closer to places like Monaco and Hungary, where we've struggled relative to the competition.
"But the engineers are positive that we've made some good progress, so I'm looking forward to getting out on track and sampling the changes for real.
"The race should give us a clearer indication of exactly where we stand as the championship closes down over the next five races, but I definitely want to score as many points as possible in this grand prix."

Andrew Benson blog - BBC

Hamilton wins Montreal GP

Tire gamble pays off as Brit captures Formula One race in Montreal

Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton didn’t think it was a gamble for his McLaren Mercedes team to start Sunday’s Formula One Canadian Grand Prix on softer option tires.
Few believed him, but at the end of 70 laps at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve it was Hamilton and his McLaren Mercedes team that held all the aces and the giant’s share of the pot from F-1’s only visit to this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
He crossed the finish line a full 2.2 seconds ahead of teammate Jenson Button to give the British-based team a 1-2 result.
Hamilton was 9.2 seconds in front of third-place finisher Fernando Alonso in a Ferrari.
Sebastian Vettel, who before the race had criticized McLaren’s decision to run the Saturday qualifying laps on the option tires, was fourth for Red Bull with teammate Mark Webber rounding out the top five.
To many among the 110,000 sold-out crowd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, however, it looked early on as if Hamilton had lost his gamble when he pulled into the pits under green flag conditions to change to the harder compound tires after just eight laps.
But as the race wore on Hamilton reeled in first Vettel, then Webber, then Alonso to take control. It marks the second win in Canada for the 25-year-old Hamilton.
The victory also lifted Hamilton to the top of the world championship with 109 points, three ahead of Button and six ahead of Webber, who had held the lead going into the Canadian GP.
Hamilton called his win the toughest of his career.
“It was the toughest race I’ve ever been in,” he said. “We had great pace all the way through but we had to fight traffic all the way as well. So far this season, I would have to say it was the ultimate challenge.”
There was one moment, however, that could have ruined Hamilton’s day. On exiting after his first pit stop, he came close to locking wheels with Alonso.
“On our in-lap to change tires, I was ahead of Alonso but he had some problems and ended up coming out beside him,” he said.
“He was in my blind spot, but he managed to race us to the end of pit lane and got out in front of us.”
From that point on, Hamilton said, the race was hard fight for every turn on every lap. But he added, the hard fighting made his win all the more satisfying.
“It has been a tremendous weekend, it has been fantastic,” Hamilton said. “I got here on Wednesday and things have gone so well. I’ve had incredible support from the fans.”
Button, the defending F-1 champion, heaped praise on his younger teammate, calling his race phenomenal.
“This guy (Hamilton) was phenomenal,” Button said. “It is good to finish close to (him) and good to get some points.”
Alonso complained, however, that it was the traffic, and not Hamilton’s faster McLaren Mercedes that cost him the victory on Sunday.
“We went from getting 25 points (for the win) to 15 points (for third) because of traffic,” he said.
“Ferrari is moving in the right direction but today we kept being held up (by back markers).”
Late in the race — on Lap 62 — the McLaren engineers were urging Hamilton to ease up in order to save his tires, which were beginning to show some severe wear.
But on the very next tour of Circuit Gilles Villeneuve’s 4.61 km loop Hamilton responded with a time of one minute, 18.025 seconds — the fastest lap of the day of any of the 2X starters on the grid.
With three laps to go he had increased his lead over Button to 3.5 second before finally heeding his team’s pleas to lift of the gas, at least a little bit.

By DEAN MCNULTY

Australian Grand Prix: Jenson's back for more

Jenson Button injects excitement back into F1 with McLaren win

Boring? Who said anything about boring? Formula One rediscovered its vroom Down Under on Sunday as Formula One's "cool guy"

Jenson Button claimed his maiden victory for McLaren in an incident-packed, rain-affected Australian Grand Prix.

An inspired call from Button to switch to dry-weather tyres on lap six, one lap before the rest of the field, paid off as he moved from seventh place into second. Sebastian Vettel's brake failure midway through the race completed the job as Red Bull were once again left ruing their lack of points on a weekend in which they had the fastest car.
As thousands of race fans trudged off into the Melbourne rain, chattering excitedly about the thrilling drama they had just witnessed, back in the paddock McLaren's luminous orange victory shirts lit up the night sky as Button celebrated wildly with his team and inner circle.

This was the eighth victory of the world champion's career but arguably the most important given the "Lion's Den" he was presumed to have entered at McLaren; the house that Ron Dennis built around Lewis Hamilton.
Poor Hamilton. A wretched weekend, in which he was nabbed by Melbourne traffic police performing "burnouts" before struggling to 11th in qualifying, was nearly consigned to history with a truly magnificent drive that saw him climb as high as third at one point. "It was probably the drive of my life," he said.
Unfortunately, a poor call from McLaren to bring him in for a change of tyres backfired and he eventually finished sixth after a less-than-brilliant shunt from home favourite Mark Webber.
It was tough luck on Hamilton, although his radio outburst at the team's "freaking terrible" decision to bring him in, while borne of understandable frustration, only served to highlight the fact that Button had made his call unaided.

Button's experience showed on this occasion, although he admitted he thought his "game-changing" call might backfire badly as he struggled to stay on the track immediately after switching rubber.
"When I went into the pit lane I thought I had made a catastrophic decision as it was soaking wet," he said. "I then had a little off at turn three but generally the pace was good and I was able to overtake three or four cars when they stopped."
Button's win was his second in succession at Albert Park after his emotional victory on debut for Brawn GP last year, but the 30-year-old said it was impossible to make comparisons.
"The emotions are completely different," he said. "But this is very special. It has taken me a little while to get to grips with the car but the team have been fantastic. They have really welcomed me in.

"I feel I am just building in confidence and hopefully when we get to the next race we can do something similar as this feels too good."
Button's team principal Martin Whitmarsh was similarly thrilled, saying his new acquisition had made a "fantastic call" to come in early.
"He's got to take the credit. He was the cool guy," said Whitmarsh who also defended Hamilton, a man he had described as "fragile and distracted" 24 hours earlier. "If Lewis didn't feel disappointed and frustrated, I'd be worried," he said.
At least Hamilton later recovered his poise to give his team mate a generous hug. That bonhomie was not being played out at all teams. In fact, little niggles and rivalries that promise to boil over at some point this year are now simmering nicely.
Nico Rosberg's continued dominance of Michael Schumacher at Mercedes is particularly intriguing. The returning seven-time world champion's woes continued on Sunday as he suffered an early prang and then spent most of the race stuck behind 20-year-old Toro Rosso driver Jaime Alguersuari.

Schumacher was even passed by Virgin Racing's Lucas di Grassi at one point, which inspired an almighty and telling cheer from the press room.
Over at Ferrari, championship leader Fernando Alonso bore the brunt of a frantic start and spun 180 degrees after being clipped by Button.
The Spaniard recovered well but could find no way back past slower team mate Felipe Massa. That must have rankled.
A disconsolate Vettel, meanwhile, could not hide his disappointment at all. This was the second race in succession the young German was denied almost certain victory by a technical glitch. "It breaks my balls to be honest," the Red Bull driver said candidly of his brake failure.
A special mention must go to Renault's Robert Kubica and Hispania Racing's Karun Chandhok for finishing second and 14th respectively, but it was Button who had the final word on proceedings.
Such was his control as he opened up a 10-, then a 15-second lead over Kubica that he confessed he was in a unique position to pronounce on the rebirth of F1 as an exciting global spectacle.
"I could see quite a bit on the TV screens and it did look like a very exciting race," he said cheekily. How's that for Mr Cool?

www.telegraph.co.uk

Button's wake-up call

Formula 1Australian Grand Prix

Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. They are names familiar to motor racing aficionados, but probably not to others.
They are both one-hit wonders, Hill a Formula 1 world champion in 1996, Villeneuve his successor in 1997.
Few youngsters will have either the Briton or Canadian up on their bedroom wall; Englishman Hill and Villeneuve both have fathers who are more highly-rated.The duo reached the top because they happened to be in the best cars at the time. Already, Jenson Button seems to be in danger of joining the club.
The 2010 Formula 1 season, which moves Down Under with the Australian Grand Prix this weekend, is only the second race of the year and Button is struggling. He lifted the world title last year with gifted team principal Ross Brawn by his side in the Brawn GP team, then left for McLaren to form the dream British team with Lewis Hamilton, but it is already looking like he blundered.
The result in the opening race in Bahrain two weeks ago was revealing. Hamilton was strong enough to finish third while Button came in seventh. They both drive the same car, and Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, has already shown how big the difference is between the two in terms of ability.
Worse still for Button, his former team, renamed Mercedes GP, saw their two drivers - Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher - finish fifth and sixth, respectively.
If Button continues his poor form, it will only add to the belief in many racing circles that talent was not the reason for his triumph last year - it was because of the sorcery of Brawn and his team of engineers.But Button has shown what he can do. At BAR-Honda in 2004, he dug deep to go toe-to-toe with Schumacher, who was on top of his game at Ferrari, and on his way to winning No 6 of his seven world titles.
Button was considered driver of the year that season, even though he finished third in the drivers' standings behind the Ferraris of Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, respectively.When the going got tough for the under-performing Honda outfit that season - the precursor to Brawn GP and now Mercedes - Button's talent shone through as he fought tooth and nail for the Japanese team to keep their chins up.That is why they broke the bank in 2006 to keep him when Williams, the team Button started his Formula 1 career with in 2000, wanted him back.
At 30, Button has at least another five years of good racing left with a top team like McLaren. In his team, he is battling one of the sport's brightest young stars in Hamilton.In the paddock, they say the first task is to do better than your team-mate, but Button's job is more difficult, as he is a newcomer in the team compared to the 24-year-old Hamilton, who is regarded as "family".
Button must have known it would be tricky after Fernando Alonso's torrid time with McLaren in 2007. But Button, an Englishman, has a better chance of being absorbed into the "family".If he is going to put up a decent fight in the "Battle for Britain" with Hamilton, he needs to dig deep, just like in 2004. Otherwise, it will be Hamilton alone flying the flag for McLaren, against the charging Ferraris and Red Bull, and Button's 2009 achievement will quickly become a footnote in the history of Formula 1 racing.


by Ian De Cotta

Jenson Button's Melbourne swap-shop : F1 vs V8 Supercar

Australia may have ceded this season's opener to Bahrain but Formula 1's collective excitement at being back in Melbourne is undiminished.
From Jack Brabham to the Bathurst 1,000 Australians love their motorsport and the city shows it by embracing F1's arrival in a series of imaginative events on and off the track.

Jenson Button had the privilege of being the first driver to taste the green asphalt of the leafy Albert Park circuit on Tuesday.
But the world champion's four-lap spin was a rather unusual refresher for Sunday's race as he swapped cars with reigning V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup.

Button squeezed into Team Vodafone's beefy tin-topped Holden Commodore while Whincup tried his hand at open-wheel racing by borrowing Lewis Hamilton's 2008 championship winning McLaren.

Button and Whincup's racing ambitions began with karting but while Button, 30, forged his way through Europe's single-seater formulas, Australian Whincup, 27, found himself drawn to touring cars.

Over the last two seasons each reached the pinnacle of their sports, with Button claiming the 2009 F1 world title and Whincup storming to back-to-back titles in V8, perceived to be the elite formula in Australian motorsport.
As the pair of champions prepared to enter the unknown at Albert Park by swapping chargers, there was time for a final word of advice.
"Give it hell," urged Button. "Yeah, likewise," grinned Whincup. "Go as hard as you can."

Champions Whincup (left) and Button (right) compare notes before driving one another's cars

Whincup was given a push out of the pit lane and after a sputtering start down the straight he was off at full pelt.
It may have been his first time in an F1 car but an unofficial timing saw the Melbourne-born driver clock one minute, 57 seconds - the same time as his fastest circuit lap in a V8 car.

And if you want to know what it's like to drive an F1 car - even if you are already a champion behind the wheel - Whincup summed it up in a single, breathless word.
"Unbelievable," he said, shaking his head as he pulled himself out of the McLaren cockpit.

"I had half a lap at half throttle but then the car just kicked in and I've never felt anything like it before.

"The car just does everything right, the harder you push the more grip you have and if you hit the brake it feels like it'll stop on a 20 cent piece.

"The strain on my head was unbelievable because I don't get anywhere near the g-force in my V8 car.

"My mate had said to me 'it's going to destroy your life driving an F1 car because nothing else will come close' and he was right. It's just a rocket ship."
The V8 spat and chewed its way around the circuit with Button at the helm, powering along at 650 horsepower compared to the purr of the McLaren's F1 engine, which runs at around a slick 750bhp.

After his rare stint in a closed-top car Button emerged saying: "It's like an oven in there!

"It's so different to driving an F1 car, it's very heavy and there's not a lot of downforce.
"I ran off the tarmac at one point and I'd be closing my eyes at that point in an F1 car, but in this thing it was great. It was very impressive."

So, was it a case of once bitten twice shy or does either driver fancy swapping again when it comes down to business in Sunday's V8 and F1 races?

"It's one thing having a drive but lining up on the grid, well it'd be scary," confessed Whincup. "I'd need a few more miles without doubt."
Button added: "I've always said in the past that after F1 I'm sure I'll look at doing something else - and this could be a possibility."


Watch out Whincup, Button could well be after your title next.

Jenson Button speaks up.

Jenson Button is worried that rule changes may make F1 'a procession'

Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has expressed concern that new regulations could turn the 2010 season into a "procession".
McLaren's Button is dismayed by the ban on refuelling during a race and new tyre regulations which made the season opener in Bahrain a dull spectacle.
"It's annoying because it's a sport I love and it's tough to see a procession," said the 30-year-old.
"I hope when we are racing in Melbourne we're going to have a bit more action."
Button joins seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in bemoaning the refuelling ban, which means cars must run with a full load at the start.
The other major rule change dictates that the top 10 drivers on the grid must begin the race on the tyres they used in the final qualifying session.
The alterations can promote a cautious approach by placing a premium on tyre management, and drivers must use both soft and hard tyre compounds while the race is in progress.
Button finished seventh in his first race for McLaren, which featured scant drama and few overtaking manoeuvres and was won by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

"I don't know how we're going to make the racing more exciting than it is," said Button.
"I hope it's just because of the new layout in Bahrain, and it was the first one, that it wasn't so exciting.
"The thing is now it seems the eight or 10 cars at the front, they pull away from the pack and wait until they've got a gap to fall into.
"We've all got the same information, so as soon as we all find a gap, one car pits from one of those teams, and the next lap the other car pits."
Before the season, the teams were worried that the refuelling ban would lead to processional races and discussed introducing a rule that would force drivers to make two stops.

Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn told BBC Sport the teams would review that decision after a few races to give the new rules time to settle down.
The start of this season had been one of the most eagerly-awaited in years, with the return of Schumacher, the British pairing at McLaren and Felipe Massa's comeback from a life-threatening injury adding spice to the build-up.
Button continued: "There's still every chance it's going to be a fantastic season. We just have to see what happens over the next few races.
"But if it's not going in the right direction, then people have to start making the decisions. I hope it gets better, for all of our sakes."
Button's McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton agreed that the first race was "very dull" but predicted more action when the season resumes in Australia on 28 March.
"You've got to assume the next race will be more exciting," he said. "There will be more people and there should be more of an atmosphere in Australia, as there always is.
"The track should be more favourable to the cars. It is a street circuit so it's not the easiest place to overtake, but I think it should be more exciting."

BBC sports

Ron Dennis Speaks up !

Ron Dennis: I've paid the price for dedicating 30 years to Formula One

Ron Dennis vanished overnight from Formula One eight months ago. But as McLaren prepare to launch Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button in a combined bid for British supremacy, the man who built the team into the force it is today has finally broken his silence.

Dennis, now head of the McLaren division building a supercar to launch next year, has ventured back into the public eye, hinting strongly at unfair treatment from Max Mosley, the former head of the sport’s governing body, criticising his former rival team bosses and revealing the obsessions that drove him, and his team, to the top.

The 62-year-old saw his life and reputation unravel from the summer of 2007 after McLaren were fined $100million by the FIA over the ‘Spygate’ saga and his 22-year marriage to his American wife, Lisa, ended.
After almost 30 years on the Grand Prix stage, the man whose vision and dedication made world champions of Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Hakkinen and Hamilton, and brought him a fortune of more than £150m, was suddenly paying for his desire to win motor races, not friends.

Mosley was one of his enemies, a man with whom he constantly disagreed, disputing his dictatorial form of governance, and he leaves little room for doubt that he believes the former FIA president acted unfairly when McLaren were heavily fined for having technical data belonging to rivals, Ferrari.
Five months later, Renault, led by the flamboyant Italian Flavio Briatore, escaped punishment for the same offence, this time involving McLaren’s secrets.
‘[Spygate] was a minor indiscretion by junior members of the organisation that got amplified into a bigger issue,’ says Dennis, in an interview with Esquire magazine. It wasn’t the way it was portrayed. As always, with the passing of time, the truth will come out.
‘The bit I don’t like is when people damage the reputation of this company for reasons that have their roots in issues that relate to how fiercely I’ve fought for what I believe to be right for Formula One and McLaren. Sometimes it’s a price you wish you didn’t have to pay, but it is.’

Dennis rode out that storm, but he did not survive when McLaren became embroiled in a fresh scandal after Hamilton admitted misleading race stewards at the Australian Grand Prix. Even though Martin Whitmarsh had officially become McLaren team principal, Dennis was in the sights of his enemies.

Before the FIA hearing in Paris in mid-April, Dennis suddenly stood down as chief executive of McLaren’s F1 activities, relinquishing his role as group chairman. He insisted the decision to take personal supervision of McLaren’s new supercar was his alone. Few believed him, but McLaren escaped with a suspended three-race ban, Hamilton avoided censure and Dennis left in ignominious circumstances the sport that had been his lifeblood.
‘I can’t look at F1 without tremendous fondness, it’s given me a great life,’ he says. ‘But I find the judgmental behaviour frustrating.
‘I can sit on the pit wall and be serious, focused, and a commentator in another country says: “Oh, look at him, isn’t he miserable?” and that idea catches on. I have an amusing side to my personality, but when you’re working, you’re working.
‘I’m responsible for two lives out there and the performance of the company. When I see my opposite numbers in other teams and how ridiculously colourful and playing to the audience they are, I can’t help thinking “How on earth do you ever think you’re going to win a Grand Prix?”

‘You write down the names of all the team principals from the past 10 years and how many have won more than five races, it’s a short list. Throw some other queries at that and you’ll realise performance requires total dedication. You pay for that dedication because people misunderstand your personality and motives. That’s the price you pay, but I sleep easy.’
Dennis is a man of puzzling complexities. Famed for talking in what became known as ‘Ronspeak’ for its tortuous phrasing, his obsessive behaviour — he reputedly had the pebbles in his drive washed every month — has not lessened with success, or age.
‘I get a mental pain from looking at things that have not been properly executed,’ he says. ‘Attention to detail is fundamental to how this company has grown. I’m perceived by outsiders as being in some ivory tower.
‘I’m not, I know exactly what is going on. There are people in this organisation, and I don’t say this with any pride, who are frightened of me. That’s because they don’t understand me.
‘I used to go to bed with the vacuum cleaner going because my mum wanted the house immaculate when she got up. That’s the ethos I grew up with, everything had to be perfect all the time. That’s why I am such a pain to live with. I don’t want chaos; my homes are my tranquillity bases.’

The painful breakdown of his marriage to Lisa, with whom he has three children, has led him to buy a home in London and finding, with the help of a friend who is a magazine editor, a new lifestyle.
‘I’ve changed my life and I’ve been helped back into a social circle which didn’t see me as some poor old wrinkly stood in a nightclub, but more out there enjoying life.
‘My priority is still my kids, but when my kids are out doing stuff I go out and do stuff, too.’
Dennis can see a kindred spirit in Michael Schumacher, returning to F1 with Mercedes at the age of 42, and he will doubtless miss not being on the pit wall in Bahrain on March 14 as Hamilton and Button, the last two world champions, seek to deny the German, a seven-time title winner, a fairytale comeback.

Ironically, Dennis never tried to sign Schumacher. Perhaps after dealing with the egocentric genius of Senna, he was unwilling to put himself through the mill a second time.
He certainly invested emotionally in his drivers’ careers. He describes his relationship with Hamilton, whom he groomed to be champion from the age of 12, as ‘paternal’.
But for Senna, he admits his regard ‘edged on almost masculine love’. I use the word quite deliberately,’ he adds. ‘It didn’t have any homosexuality about it, it wasn’t that sort [of love].’
After the sacrifices Dennis has made in his career and personal life, he confesses to having few friends. ‘I have less than 10,’ he says. ‘Friendship is just part of the mix that determines whether you’re happy or not.’

For nearly 30 years, Formula One was also part of that mix. Now Dennis is facing up to new challenges

By Malcolm Folley

F1 Community salutes Jenson Button

The world of Formula 1 has paid tribute to Brawn GP's Jenson Button as the Englishman won the 2009 world drivers' championship in Brazil.
Button started from 14th on the Interlagos grid and weaved his way through the field with a scintillating drive to finish fifth in Sao Paulo.
He now has an unassailable 15-point advantage going into the season's final race in Abu Dhabi on 1 November.
Button also helped his Brawn GP team to become the first Formula 1 team to win the constructors' championship in their debut season.



Former F1 driver and BBC pundit David Coulthard:
"Anyone who doubts he's worthy of being world champion just needs to watch that. It was an attacking drive, a really great drive."



Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello:
"I am pleased for Jenson, as a friend, and as a great champion, and if I didn't win, he should have won it, so well done to him.
"Jenson deserved to do it, but he won it on the first six races, and I think the second half of the championship was mine.
"It is a hell of a team that deserves to win and we will have a great night tonight. I feel part of this, especially the constructors' championship."
Brawn GP team principal Ross Brawn: "Jenson's drive today was the the drive of a world champion."
"He's a fantastic racer. Today he had a great race; he knew what he had to do."
"We've lost a little bit of pace in the car over the last few races and he's stuck with it and he's deserved everything he's got."



Red Bull driver Mark Webber:
"JB is such a consistent driver and, unfortunately for us, this year he was also blisteringly quick at the start of the year as well, and he got the results.
"Brawn and Button came out running really well at the start of the season, he was on top of the car and that is where he put a big hit into the championship.
"We pushed hard and other teams arrived in the middle and the back end of the season, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen in particular, which made it hard for him to close the deal. But he is a deserved champion."



McLaren's 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton:
"Big congratulations to Jenson, I have to say incredible job to him and I am really happy for him and his family.
"I can't take anything away from Jenson he did the better job this year, but I plan on taking it back at some stage, who knows when, but I really hope that we can give it a good challenge next year from the start."



BBC Formula 1 pundit Eddie Jordan:
"Why should we not be in total homage to Jenson Button?"
"He has the most points and he did that before the end of the season with a race to go, he is a totally deserving world champion, never in question."
Formula 1 legend and three-time world champion Niki Lauda: "When you are world champion there is nothing to criticise. He is one of the world champions now and he did a perfect job.
"He was very conservative in the middle of the season, trying to protect his lead, and he did manage to protect it.
"He drove a really aggressive perfect race in Brazil, so he can do both sides. You have a really good world champion back in England again."



Jenson's mother Simone Lyons:
"I'm just cried out! I was just crying and sobbing as he was crossing the line, and those last three laps were the longest ever. I always believed he'd do it and I expect he did as well because he knows the effort he puts into it."



Prime Minister Gordon Brown:
"I want to send my warmest congratulations to Jenson Button for clinching the Formula 1 drivers' championship today in Brazil, on the same circuit that Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' championship last year.
"We can be proud that Jenson is the 10th British driver to win the title.
"His performances over the season with the new Brawn team have excited Formula 1 fans in Britain and across the world, and we look forward to his continuing success in the seasons ahead."



Sir Jackie Stewart, three-time F1 world champion:
"I know the feeling, and to win your first world championship is always a bigger thrill."
"He came through the field magically actually. I mean, he picked up nine places, there were a few accidents that helped him on his way, but he got through those without a scratch and without damaging the car.
"I'm thrilled for him because it's the first time in 40 years that we've had a British champion back-to-back, first Lewis Hamilton and now Jenson Button. It's great."



Brawn GP chief executive Nick Fry:
"As the chief executive I have to do the tough job of contract negotiating and I think Jenson's share price has gone up a bit today. He is making my life even more difficult!"



BBC F1 analyst and former driver Martin Brundle:
"Jenson answered any critics he might have without any doubt with that drive today. He is the world champion with one race to spare.
"It's a bit of a British thing, we like to knock ourselves, but we should pump ourselves up a little bit. Jenson Button is a very worthy world champion."



Rubens Barrichello's Brawn GP race engineer Jock Clear:
"It is all about Jenson Button, and what he did on the track today.
"Everyone complains about not enough overtaking, but Jenson won a championship by overtaking today, and that's what we all want to see.
"It was a brilliant, brilliant drive from him. I take my hat off to him."

BBC.com

Fernando Alonso agrees three-deal Ferrari F1 deal

Formula One finally has a rivalry to match Ayrton Senna v Alain Prost after it was confirmed that Fernando Alonso will become a Ferrari driver in 2010.

Renault's two-time world champion, the most successful driver presently on the grid with 21 career victories to his name, joins the Scuderia on a three-year deal worth in the region of £32 million a season with an option to extend.
Race fans will already be salivating at the prospect of a resumption of hostilities with his former team-mate, McLaren's 2008 world champion, Lewis Hamilton. Formula One's two best drivers, one in a Ferrari the other in a McLaren, going head to head with a bit of history between them. It does not get better.

Alonso, who described himself as "very happy and very proud" to be joining Ferrari, replaces Kimi Raikkonen at Maranello, with the Finn's return to McLaren expected to be confirmed shortly.
Raikkonen, too, will be motivated to beat Alonso, having fended off questions about the Spaniard's potential arrival for nearly two years.
Alonso almost signed for Ferrari in 2002, only to change his mind at the last minute and join Renault. It led Ferrari team principal of the time, Jean Todt, to vow that Alonso would never drive for the team while he was there.
Yet despite being Formula One's worst-kept secret, the timing of the announcement actually caught out most observers. Ferrari were expected to say something officially on Thursday, the first day of the Japanese Grand Prix race weekend, but in the end opted to send out a press release at 11pm local time last night.
"As chairman [Luca di] Montezemolo said recently, all the great champions want to come to Maranello sooner or later," Ferrari team principal Stefano Domenicali said.
"Of course, we wish to thank Kimi for everything he has done during his time with Ferrari: in his first year with us, he managed to win the drivers' title, thus making his contribution to Ferrari's history and he played a vital role in our taking of the constructors' title in 2007 and 2008.
"Next to Fernando we'll have Felipe Massa, who is recovering very quickly to his best physical condition, with Giancarlo Fisichella as the surrogate driver. We believe that this is the best possible couple for a team like ours: Fernando and Felipe are two victorious drivers and they integrate very well with each other and with the team."
Alonso told Ferrari's website: "I'm very happy and very proud to become a Ferrari driver. Driving a single-seater for the Prancing Horse is everybody's dream in this sport and today I have the opportunity to make this dream come true.
"We already had an agreement this summer starting in 2011, but then, in the past few days, the picture changed and we decided to anticipate my arrival in Maranello by one year."
Raikkonen, who is understood to have reached a financial settlement with Ferrari over the remaining year of his £31 million-a-year contract, said he was "very sad" to be leaving. His move to Woking is understood to be underwritten by Santander, the Spanish banking giant which now sponsors both Ferrari and McLaren.
Jenson Button's 2010 seat at Brawn-Mercedes looks a little safer with rumours that Rubens Barrichello is close to agreeing a deal to join Williams. Nico Rosberg is moving the other way as part of the deal that will see Mercedes take a controlling interest in Brawn. Williams declined to comment on the speculation.

Barichello wins Italian GP.

Button back as Barrichello wins

Rubens Barrichello headed Jenson Button to a Brawn one-two in a tense Italian Grand Prix as the Englishman scored his first podium finish in six races.
McLaren's Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole but was beaten on strategy, lost third place when he crashed on the last lap trying to chase down Button.
Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen took the place ahead of Force India's Adrian Sutil.
Brawn's title rivals Red Bull had a bad day as Mark Webber crashed on the first lap while Sebastian Vettel was eighth.
Button has had his championship lead cut by two points to 14 from second-placed Barrichello, while Vettel sits 12 points behind the Brazilian with Webber 2.5 points behind his team-mate in fourth.
Forty points remain available with four races remaining.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso pushed hard throughout the race to finish fifth, just ahead of McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen.

After starting back in 15th, Nick Heidfeld did well to score two points for struggling BMW Sauber with a seventh place.
Hamilton was eventually classified in 12th after crashing out on the exit kerb of the first Lesmo on the last lap having been breathing down Button's neck for the final third of the race as he desperately tried to get in a position to overtake his compatriot.
The 13th grand prix of 2009 was a tale of two races within a race - pole-sitter Hamilton trying to gain enough time to stay ahead of the Brawns knowing he needed to stop twice, while they competed against each other while making sure to keep Hamilton at bay.
In-form Barrichello - who claimed his second win in three races - made a brilliant start, jumping into fourth from fifth as Kovalainen slipped down the field before consolidating that with an aggressive first lap.
That period was also critical for Button who produced a clever manoeuvre on Kovalainen, whom he overtook on the inside of the second Lesmo to put him back in a position to challenge for a win throughout the rest of the race.

Seven out of last 10 Italian Grands Prix have been won from pole position but, while Hamilton opened up a decent gap before his first stop of the race using his Kers power-boost button on the long straights, the Brawns stayed in touch as they ran solidly in fourth and fifth place.
Hamilton's car did not ultimately have the pace of the Brawns whose strategy - fuelling heavier in qualifying to use just one stop in the race itself - proved to be a shrewd move.
When he made his quick second pit stop on lap 34 he came out behind Button still in contention, with Barrichello leading, but - despite making up four tenths of a second on the championship leader during some laps - he could not get close enough.
The veteran Brazilian, meanwhile, was firmly in control in the latter stages with a relatively safe gap between himself and Button - while his decision to stick with an engine which had briefly caught fire at the last race in Belgium was fully vindicated.
"It feels great. I have no words," he said.
"I had a tough night, we didn't know if the gearbox would be OK and there are some concerns. But it should last

"It was great to have such a good start. The first lap made my race. There will be times when we don't have to worry about the Kers [energy power-boost button] cars, but with the straight lines here you do."
The championship battle now looks to be a two-man battle between two team-mates - a rare thing in a sport where one driver is usually favoured over the over as the season pans out - after a poor race seemed to blow any title hopes for struggling Red Bull.
Webber, who started 10th, went off at the Della Roggia turn after tangling with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica in what the Australian described as a 'racing incident' - meaning it was not the Pole's fault as he was genuinely challenging for position.
"This gives my championship chances a blow, for sure," said Webber. "I haven't scored points in three races, though this is my first DNF of the season.
"We've still had a great middle run in the championship but we need to bounce back from this. We need to finish the season as strongly as we can but it's been a tough period for us."

Button's finish, with clinched Brawn's fourth one-two of the year, was a decent response to critics who have been constantly questioning whether he has been struggling to deal with the pressure of leading the championship after a relatively barren recent run.
"It's nice to be back up here," he said.
"I'd like to be where Rubens is sat but he did a better job today. I've lost two points to Rubens but gained seven on Vettel.
"We're going to take it I'm sure right down to the wire...for me it was a great result."
German driver Sutil collected his first points of the season by finishing fourth while also handing increasingly-impressive Force India a consecutive second place over the past two races.

Could Kimi make a shock return to McLaren?

With the political rows that have dominated this Formula 1 season more or less over apart from a few late skirmishes, attention in Valencia has turned to the driver market.

The key move this season is Fernando Alonso's prospective switch to Ferrari. This has not been officially confirmed yet, but it is considered a given. And it will trigger a series of swaps that will significantly change the look of the F1 grid next season.
Among the top teams, only Red Bull are not changing their line-up and there are attractive seats available at Ferrari, McLaren and Brawn.
In the wake of Alonso's move, the key men in the market place are Kimi Raikkonen and Robert Kubica.

Assuming Jenson Button stays at Brawn - which is not 100% certain, but looks very likely - they are the A-listers who will be top of most teams' shopping list.
The driver market is always complicated - but the injury suffered by Felipe Massa has made it more Byzantine than usual this summer.
Ferrari have actually got themselves into a bit of a pickle. Alonso's arrival means they have three of the top drivers in F1 for next season and only two cars to put them in, as both Felipe Massa and Raikkonen are under contract until the end of 2010.
They intended to partner Alonso with Massa, but the Brazilian has a fractured skull following his accident in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Although he is expected to make a full recovery, in terms of living a normal life, it is impossible to know right now whether he will be able to race in F1 again, even if Brawn driver Rubens Barrichello and Massa's race engineer Rob Smedley, probably the two people closest to him in the paddock, are optimistic.
Massa is talking about an emotional return for the Brazilian Grand Prix in October, but many feel that may well be over-optimistic, even allowing for the traditionally astonishing powers of recovery of F1 drivers.
And if Massa cannot drive until after the end of the season - which means he might not be able to do so until January, because of the testing restrictions in December - that makes getting rid of Raikkonen less immediately appealing.
Despite that, it does appear that the Finn will be the one to leave Ferrari, for whom one solution would be to gamble on Massa being fit and, if he isn't, take one of the experienced drivers who may be left standing after the game of musical chairs finishes.
Jarno Trulli looks certain to leave Toyota - whose entire future in F1 may be in doubt - and the futures of Rubens Barrichello, Giancarlo Fisichella and Nick Heidfeld are all up in the air. All would make a more than decent one-year stand-in.
In that eventuality, the question is where Raikkonen will end up.
There are a number of interesting possibilities. His advisors are known to have had talks with Brawn, which interests him, and Toyota, which does not. And another obvious possibility is Renault, who need a top-liner to replace Alonso.
And there is one intriguing possibility that I have not heard discussed on the paddock rumour mill - could Raikkonen make a shock return to McLaren?

It comes a bit out of left-field and might seem outlandish, but bear with me on it for a moment.
Lewis Hamilton is locked in there until 2012, but the second seat is open. Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen is under pressure because of his unconvincing performances in races and there has been talk of Nico Rosberg moving over from Williams.
But, if you were McLaren, why replace one guy who is not as quick as Hamilton with, in Rosberg, another who isn't either but might be more disruptive?
Raikkonen, on the other hand, is well known by McLaren having driven for them from 2002-6, and he is low maintenance - he just gets in the car and drives and couldn't care less who his team-mate is.
Rosberg is known to be wary of facing Hamilton in the same car - he was his team-mate in karting and knows how quick he is - and Kubica has a reputation as hard work and demanding.
Raikkonen is the total opposite. He would not be bothered about the team's focus on Hamilton. He would just do his job and go home - just like he always has.
Not only that, but he left McLaren largely because he fell out with Ron Dennis, but the former boss has no involvement in the F1 team any more.
So a fresh link with Raikkonen could be an appealing idea for McLaren - and vice versa.
And read this quote from team boss Martin Whitmarsh after Sunday's European Grand Prix: "Kimi's really raised his game and all weekend has done a great job and Heikki has always been a fantastic team player and a good asset in our team but his race pace hasn't been good enough."
Of course, all of that might be hugely wide of the mark, in which case Raikkonen will probably end up at Brawn or Renault - at both of which Kubica must be considered a contender.
The Pole has been strongly linked with a move to Williams following BMW's decision to quit F1. But this weekend he has opened negotiations with Brawn, which would surely be a more appealing option considering the two teams' respective performance this season.

It is a difficult decision for Brawn. Given that Raikkonen has been a little off the boil in the last couple of seasons, Kubica is arguably the best driver on the market this season.
But he has a reputation for being disruptive inside a team and Ross Brawn might prefer not to disturb the equanimity of Button, the man who still looks likely to be world champion this year.
On top of that, Kubica is understood to want a one-year contract so he has the ability to move on for 2011 if a better drive becomes available, while Brawn would almost certainly want him to sign for two seasons.Traditionally, early September is the time the big pieces in the driver market puzzle begin to fall into place. But given the inherent complications, this season it could be a good deal later than that.

Andrew Benson

Victory for Raikkonen, glory for Fisichella at Spa-Francorchamps

Kimi Raikkonen became the sixth different victor in six races after putting Ferrari back in the winners’ circle for the first time in 2009, with a finely judged success in Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix, in which his KERS system played a crucial role in the opening stages. But he was dogged all the way to the flag by a gallant Giancarlo Fisichella in the Force India, who kept him honest throughout on the first medium downforce circuit of the season.

Behind them, Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel drove strongly for third, closing on them both by the finish. Raikkonen crossed the finish line 0.9s ahead, with Vettel 2.9s behind Fisichella.

Jenson Button’s hopes of adding to his points tally in the Brawn GP ended at Les Combes on the first lap when he was spun out by Romain Grosjean’s Renault, while in a separate incident Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren tagged Jaime Alguersuari’s Toro Rosso while trying to avoid the melee. The two incidents are currently under investigation by the race stewards.

After a safety car intervention, Raikkonen, who had sped up to second behind Fisichella on the opening lap, lost no time using his KERS to slingshot by the Italian on the run up Raidillon to Les Combes on the fifth lap, but Fisichella pushed him all the way.Red Bull’s Mark Webber looked strong initially until an unsafe release from his first pit stop nearly put rival BMW Sauber’s Nick Heidfeld in the pit-lane wall. A drive-through penalty subsequently dropped him to ninth.Renault’s Fernando Alonso also seemed on course for a healthy helping of points after running the longest opening stint, but a brush with Force India’s Adrian Sutil in La Source on the opening lap had damaged the left front wheel, and after a disastrously long pit stop on Lap 24 he had to come in again to retire a lap later when the left front wheel could not be secured satisfactorily.

Vettel was able to vault past a fast-starting Robert Kubica after his second stop on the 35th lap and said his Red Bull was perfect thereafter, but the Pole brought his BMW Sauber home fourth ahead of closing team mate Heidfeld. The German has passed Toyota’s Jarno Trulli for second at the start but ran wide and lost ground, allowing Kubica to nip down the inside to run third initially.Heikki Kovalainen did a one-stop strategy in his McLaren to stay ahead of Brawn GP’s Rubens Barrichello for sixth place. The Brazilian, who bogged down off the grid, was saved to an extent by the intervention of the safety car which enabled Brawn to refuel him for a longer opening stint in a fast first-lap pit stop, but had to back off at the end when his Mercedes engine showed signs of failing. He just made it to the flag ahead of a closing Nico Rosberg, who drove yet another strong race for Williams to score the final point, while Webber just missed out with ninth after a frustrating race.Toyota’s Timo Glock had a fuel rig problem in his first stop which delayed him, and could not better 10th, under pressure at the end from Force India’s Sutil. Behind them Sebastien Buemi brought his Toro Rosso home 12th ahead of Williams’ Kazuki Nakajima and an unimpressive Luca Badoer, who was the last finisher for Ferrari.

Besides Alonso and the first lap crashers, the other retirement was Trulli, whose front wing was damaged when he made contact with Heidfeld's BMW Sauber on the opening lap. That ruined the Italian’s race, as did a later refuelling problem, similar to Glock’s. He ultimately retired with a brake problem.

In the title stakes, Barrichello took two more points off Button, who still has 74 to the Brazilian’s 56. Vettel moves back ahead of Webber with 53 to the Australian’s 51.5.In the constructors’ championship Brawn have 128 points, Red Bull 104.5, Ferrari 56 and McLaren 44.

2009 British GP - Goodbye Silverstone !

The organisers of the British Grand Prix on 21 June have promised a spectacular send-off for the Silverstone circuit.
The blue ribband event for any international racing Circuit, the Formula One World Championship returns to The Home of British Motor Racing on the weekend of 19-21 June for the 2009 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix.
The 2008 British Grand Prix will long be remembered as a classic Formula One encounter. As the rain battered the Silverstone circuit, Lewis Hamilton put in one of the performances of his career to stand head and shoulders above his rivals and secure a popular home victory. On a day in which even the most experienced Formula One drivers struggled to keep their cars on track, Hamilton stole the show.

This season's Grand Prix is expected to see record breaking crowds assemble in Northamptonshire to welcome home the reigning world champion, and the youngest in the sport's history, Britain's Lewis Hamilton. The entire race weekend looks certain to buzz with an enormous party spirit as we celebrate a new British hero and cheer him on to each passing lap.
The best teams and drivers in single-seater motor racing have a new set of regulations to contend with in 2009, so we can expect a slightly different order of merit to that which we've become used to of late. With these new regulations designed to increase the racing spectacle even higher from the past two classic seasons, which have thrown up some real surprises and incredible races, expect fireworks on this most challenging of tracks.
But of course there's not only the Formula One, as the GP2 support category gives fans a chance to see the next generation of stars before they jump to the big time. Add to that the Porsche SuperCup, a host of other support events and Silverstone's famous Grand Prix Party and there's little surprise that this is the hottest ticket of the year.

With Briton Jenson Button currently leading the Drivers' World Championship and Lewis Hamilton returning to Silverstone as the reigning World Champion, the last ever British Grand Prix at the Northamptonshire circuit promises to be even more atmospheric than usual.
F1 fans can expect three days of first class entertainment as the circuit celebrates its illustrious British Grand Prix history. It hosted a round of the inaugural F1 World Championship in 1950, and has held the British GP every year since 1986.

Headlining the timetable of off-track entertainment will be the Grand Prix Party, which has become synonymous with the event as the ultimate post-race party for drivers and fans alike, providing the public with the opportunity to get close to the drivers, while they enjoy music from a host of live bands.
Other attractions on race day include a display by the Red Arrows display team on top of races in the GP2 Series, Formula BMW, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the Silverstone Historic Saloon Car Challenge.
For younger fans, there will be a fairground at the circuit, completing the full entertainment package for all the family.
The on-stage line-up currently includes a host of past and present F1 legends ranging from Britain's latest star, Jenson Button, to former World Champions Sir Jackie Stewart OBE and Damon Hill OBE. The Grand Prix Party has been hosted by Silverstone over the years as a way of thanking the fans and providing them with a rare opportunity to meet the drivers.
New for this year is an F1 driver signing session on the Saturday afternoon, during which where 250 lucky fans will be able to obtain autographs from the majority of current F1 drivers. In order to attend this exclusive signing session, fans should visit the Entertainment Zones at Copse and Stowe on Friday and Saturday of the event, where competitions will take place giving spectators the chance to win a place at the autograph session.

The circuit's F1 heritage will be portrayed by a unique photographic exhibition. Pictures from three of the UK's leading photographic agencies - LAT Photographic, Getty Images and Sutton Images - will be brought together to represent some of the most iconic British Grand Prix moments at Silverstone from the 1950s to the present day.

James Allen's Turkish GP verdict

The Turkish Grand Prix was another tale of perfect execution by Jenson Button and Brawn, and missed opportunities for Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull – although Button’s relentless pace underlined the fact that the Brawn remains F1’s benchmark car.

James Allen analyses Button’s flawless drive, Vettel’s first-lap mistake, the nicely simmering rivalry between the Red Bull drivers, and the shuffling of the chasing pack.This was a race which may come to symbolise the 2009 season.

Red Bull, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber were quick, but Jenson Button had every base covered and won with a comfortable margin. Meanwhile luck didn’t run Rubens Barrichello’s way.
This was a track that, with some fast corners, should on paper have given Red Bull a chance – but instead it was the Brawn that was the class of the field.
Button now has more than double the number of points of his nearest non-Brawn challenger, Vettel (61 to 29).
Vettel started on pole position but made a mistake on the opening lap, which allowed Button to pass him and sail off to victory.
He has made a few mistakes this season, like the accident at Monaco, but he has nevertheless really made his name and shown his speed.
With experience he will undoubtedly mature. Button in contrast has hardly made any mistakes.
After that crucial error, the Red Bull team kept Vettel on a three-stop strategy compared to the two-stop plans of Button and Webber.
Vettel caught Button in the second stint, thanks to his lighter fuel load, but couldn’t get through.
He was unable to use the light fuel loads in the second and third stints and lost time as a result against Webber, who leapfrogged him at the second stops.
That’s twice he’s done that now, after Spain last month.
Vettel said afterwards that he thought they would change him to a two-stopper.
It was a bit like what happened between the two Brawn cars in Barcelona, except that in this case Vettel gave away the initiative by making a mistake.

At the end, with Vettel catching Webber in the closing stages, the team sent a coded message, “Mark is faster” – which he wasn’t at the time – and that meant that they had to hold station.
It is worth remembering that the pair set almost identical lap times in qualifying, so Webber was very much a match for Vettel once again this weekend.
After a strong start to the season for Vettel, while Webber was recovering from his broken leg and shoulder, Webber seems recently to have got the measure of him.
Fair play to the Aussie: A lot of people were all prepared to write him off in comparison with his exciting young team mate, but he’s fighting back.
This will make things interesting in Silverstone, where the Red Bull should have another chance to get ahead of Brawn with the many high-speed corners.
Webber was mighty in qualifying there last year, sticking the car on the front row of the grid. Vettel will have to be right on his game to beat him.
Toyota will be delighted to get back towards the front of the grid and silence the critics, with a fourth place for Jarno Trulli after a dire Monaco weekend.
Trulli put in a great drive, losing ground to Nico Rosberg at the first pit stops but regaining the place next time around.
Rosberg had his worst qualifying performance of the year but turned it into his best result of season, thanks to a great start, where he went from ninth to fourth in the opening stint.
Kazuki Nakajima was very unlucky. He got as high as fourth by running long on the opening stint and was set for seventh place.

But then at his second stop a wheel change problem cost him loads of time and he dropped out of contention, down to 12th at the finish.
It was a good day for Williams, who were comfortably faster than the Ferraris and a match for the Toyota.
It was a bit like the beginning of the season, where Brawn, Toyota, Williams and Red Bull are the quicker cars and the rest are behind.
BMW were back on song in this race, after not a great qualifying session.
Robert Kubica finished seventh and the car looks like it’s now about half a second a lap slower than the pace setters. They have been miles off at times recently.
This shows how much of a gain it is possible to make in one step and we could perhaps see that among the front-runners at some point soon.
Ferrari made a good step before Spain and Monaco, but lost the momentum this weekend.

The British Grand Prix is next. Jenson Button has always received a fantastic reception at Silverstone, whatever the competitiveness of the car he’s had that year.
Naturally he will be cheered to the rafters and it should be a fantastic occasion.

The Turkish Grand Prix Preview

This weekend’s race round Turkey’s Istanbul Park Circuit could show the direction in which the world championship battle will go over the next few Grands Prix. The unusual track, which runs anti-clockwise, places a premium on aerodynamic performance and that is bound to favour the Brawns.However, it could also finally show us the true potential of Red Bull’s RB5, now boasting its own trick diffuser. And don’t discount Ferrari, the team on the rise and winners here the last three years…This weekend’s race round Turkey’s Istanbul Park Circuit could show the direction in which the world championship battle will go over the next few Grands Prix.

The unusual track, which runs anti-clockwise, places a premium on aerodynamic performance and that is bound to favour the Brawns, which demonstrated convincingly in Barcelona, another aero venue, that they are still highly effective even though everybody else now has similar multi-tier diffusers. Istanbul Park Circuit undulates over its 5.338 kilometre (3.316 mile) lap length.

For 2009 the back of the apex kerbs in Turns Nine and 12 have been graded to prevent a car from launching. Speed bumps, similar to Turn Two in Barcelona, have been installed behind the apex of Turn 10. And additional conveyor belts have been added mid-way through the tyre barriers at Turns One, Seven, Nine and 12. The track is best known for the challenge presented by Turn Eight, a triple-apex left-hander that seems to go on and on. It is taken around 250 km/h generates arguably the highest G-forces drivers see over the season. Elsewhere, speeds reach 320 km/h and track temperatures of up to 55 degrees Celsius have been seen. It is thus as much a challenge for the drivers and cars as it is the engineers, who have to set them up, and the tyre manufacturer.

Bridgestone have brought their hard and soft compounds here, which are very different, and the harder tyre in particular could have engineers scratching their heads on set-ups. This could be the first race at which we really see the potential of Red Bull’s RB5.

Adrian Newey’s latest weapon has been very close to the Brawns all season even without a trick diffuser, but team boss Christian Horner believes its race performances in both Bahrain and Barcelona were disguised because Sebastian Vettel got trapped behind cars with KERS (Lewis Hamilton’s McLaren and Felipe Massa’s Ferrari respectively). Since Monaco the car has a two-tier diffuser, and this weekend will be the first time that the car will get to stretch its legs in this guise. With some more minor aero tweaks, expect it to fly.

Likewise, the Ferraris will be strong here, and the team are feeling buoyed after their competitive performances in Spain and Monaco. Felipe Massa has been unbeatable here for the last three years, and is raring to make it four in a row. “We will have another small step in terms of aerodynamic development, which should improve the car still further, and that is down to a big push from the guys in the factory," he reports. "We want to continue to improve as quickly as possible, to try and win some races. If will be fantastic if we find we are in a position to fight for the win in Turkey."I just like the track and feel comfortable there, but it's hard to pinpoint why it suits me better than some other circuits. I do prefer fast flowing tracks and have a feel for all the corners here, as it's not good enough to only be fast over one particular section of the track. I think I've also found a good way to set up the car perfectly for this circuit.

"BMW Sauber will be running a two-tier diffuser for the first time as part of an aero package that includes modified front wings, side bargeboards, rim shields and engine cover. Both they and Toyota have high hopes for this weekend and are desperate to wipe out memories of their troubled Monaco outings. Hamilton is also hopeful of a better time in the McLaren.“I love racing in Turkey,” he says. “It’s a real challenge because you need to attack the lap to get a good time, but you also need to be careful with your tyres - if you push too much, particularly through Turn Eight, then your tyres are going to suffer. It’s all about finding the perfect balance in practice and being disciplined in the race so you don’t overdo it. “I also love the fact that it’s a new circuit that has really captured the flavour of some of the older, classic tracks - it’s got a bit of everything and is fantastic to drive. Also, as it’s anti-clockwise, it gives your neck a bit of a workout, but you just need to make sure you’ve exercised the left side of your neck a little more than usual before getting in the car.”

However, though McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh says that the MP4-24 will have some further upgrades, he does not expect Turkey to suit it as well as Monaco did. Championship leader Jenson Button starts favourite, though. He and Brawn team mate Rubens Barrichello will have a new front wing, other minor aero revisions, and modified rear suspension to play with this weekend on their BGP 001s."The Turkish Grand Prix is always a race that I look forward to as I really enjoy driving the Istanbul Park circuit and have been quite competitive there in the past,” Button says.

“Hermann Tilke did a great job with the layout of the track here and the changes in gradient are great fun and quite challenging. We've seen some excellent racing here, with good overtaking opportunities at Turns One and Three. “You can also pass down the hill into Turn Nine and at Turns 12 and 13 if you brake late enough and get it just right. Turn Eight is obviously the corner that everyone talks about and it's probably the longest that I've ever driven. It's quite high G-force, up to 5G for seven seconds, which puts a lot of stress on your neck. You have to be as smooth as possible through the triple apex and if you get it right and take it flat, then it is one of those corners where you exit with a huge smile having made up a lot of time."

View the highlights of the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix Here

Jenson Button delighted with Monaco win.

Jenson Button rubbed shoulders with royalty following a regal performance around the streets of Monte-Carlo.
Button realised a boyhood dream with victory in the Monaco Grand Prix, after which he lived it up at the post-race ball hosted by Prince Albert.
Tagging along were his mum, dad and girlfriend Jessica Michibata, and a right royal time was had by all because, as Button remarked, "Monaco puts on a good show".
That is what the 29-year-old certainly did in taking his fifth win in six races this year to extend his championship lead to 16 points over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
The Brazilian, whose 37th birthday was on Saturday, must be fed up with finishing second as it was the third time to Button this year and the fourth occasion in his 17 races at Monaco.
With a third of the season now gone, there appears no stopping the Brawn/Button machine, although he is loathe to look too far ahead.
When it was suggested to him people are commenting he cannot lose the championship, he replied: "Yeah, I know.
"I don't know how you can make that after six races. I've won five but you are sort of putting negative energy in there and saying it is mine to lose.
"I wouldn't put it like that. I am 16 points in the lead and I have more of an advantage than others to win the championship but it is all to play for.
"It is not mine to lose for sure. I am doing the best I can and, at the moment, that is good enough. We will see what happens over the next few races.
"I am just enjoying this moment, as the whole team should be. Every win is great but, for the whole team, everyone in Formula One, you want to win in Monaco and you want to win your home grand prix.
"In a way this is both for me."
That was reference to the fact his apartment is a short walk away from the eastern edge of the circuit at Portier, allowing him to put a different perspective on his triumph.
"Before the weekend I said this grand prix doesn't mean anything different to any other grand prix but we all know the truth," added Button.
"To win here is fantastic because this circuit is very different to anything else, with the last two laps the most enjoyable laps of my career I would say.
"I could just enjoy the moment. I had a big enough lead and I could just enjoy winning Monaco.
"It is something you always dream about as a kid. You watch it on television and you think it is an amazing spectacle.
"But actually driving in it and winning it is just fantastic. I am very happy, and with a one-two finish as well, it is exceptional.
"The performance of the team this year is definitely going to go down in history. It has been staggering."

Brawn GP Merchandise in Singapore !

Rejoice all !

To those who have not yet placed your orders for the Brawn GP New Team Merchandise, don't worry.

We have extended the deadline to the 2nd of June, but this is it after that. Availability is very scarce and stocks will fly off the shelves in no time.

I have heard from good sources in my supply chain that Henry LLoyd in the UK are struggling to fulfill orders

This level of excitement over an F1 team Merchandise hasn't been seen since many years.

So to those who have already ordered, many thanks, to the others, please hit that link below and order by Sunday.

http://www.1stformula1.com/BrawnGP.htm

Brawn Dominates Monaco Grand Prix

After achieving pole position on Saturday, Jenson led the race from the front to secure his fifth win of the 2009 Formula One season with team-mate Rubens Barrichello taking second place for the team's third one-two finish of the year. Rubens made an excellent start from third on the grid to take second place from Kimi Raikkonen before the first corner.

"I had a really good start on the option tyre and was able to get ahead of Kimi before the first corner which put me in a great position to challenge Jenson" said Rubens.

Both starting on the softer option tyre, Jenson and Rubens drove composed two-stop strategies, using the prime tyre for their second and third stints.

"Rubens had a great start to get ahead of Raikkonen and was showing excellent pace before his first set of rear tyres began to grain heavily as a result of following Jenson so closely" confirmed Ross Brawn regarding the first stint of the race.

Rubens put up a strong fight to hold off the Ferrari of Raikkonen and maintain his second position whilst Jenson took the chequered flag at the end of the 78-lap race for his first victory around the streets of Monte Carlo, a dream come true for the British driver. "Wow! Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is something that you dream about as a child and as a racing driver and the reality of taking that victory just feels awesome.

With Rubens taking a superb second place, a one-two finish for the Brawn-Mercedes team in Monaco is fantastic. The race felt like it went on forever and you feel that the barriers are getting closer and closer as the end of the race approaches. But for the last couple of laps, I was able to relax and really enjoy the moment. It's been an unbelievable day, capped with my impromptu sprint down the pit straight to the podium. I can tell you it's a very long way but it was amazing to get such a fantastic reception from the crowd and I hope the fans enjoyed what was a great race for the team. The car felt good today but we didn't have the best of starts to the weekend so it makes this victory even more of an achievement. For the team, for Mercedes-Benz and for my family who were here in Monaco watching the race this weekend, today has to be the high-point of what has been an exceptional season.

" After six rounds of the 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship, Brawn GP leads the Constructors' Championship with 86 points with Jenson leading the Drivers' Championship with 51 points and Rubens in second place with 35 points.

"Fantastic drives from Jenson and Rubens, outstanding pit stops from the team and the performance of our Mercedes-Benz engine secured an amazing one-two victory for Brawn GP here in Monaco" declared Ross Brawn.

"The Monaco Grand Prix is an incredibly special race and to win here means so much to everyone here at the track, at the factory in Brackley and at Mercedes-Benz High Performance Engines in Brixworth. Special congratulations to Mercedes-Benz for supplying an engine that has now won three Grands Prix, a modern day record in Formula One."

BRAWN GP PARTNER WITH TERMINATOR SALVATION AT SPANISH GRAND PRIX


In advance of the worldwide release of the highly anticipated motion picture Terminator Salvation, Brawn GP will join Sony Pictures Releasing International to feature imagery from the film on the team’s Formula One cars over the Spanish Grand Prix weekend. Terminator Salvation will be released in the US on 21 May and globally from 27 May.

The Brawn-Mercedes cars of Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello will carry the distinctive Terminator Salvation imagery on the rear wing throughout the Spanish Grand Prix weekend at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. The unique one-race sponsorship builds anticipation for the red-carpet European premiere of the film on 28 May in Paris, France.

The partnership reunites Sony Pictures Releasing International and Formula One following Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous appearance at the 2003 British Grand Prix to promote T3 Rise of the Machines.

Nick Fry, Chief Executive Officer of Brawn GP, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Sony Pictures Releasing International with the launch of Terminator Salvation at this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix. Our promotional partnership will see our race cars and our garage branded with the famous Terminator imagery as we help launch one of Hollywood’s biggest movies of the year to over 580 million Formula One viewers in over 90 countries. The Terminator brand promises exciting action and high drama as machines and human ingenuity battle for supremacy. It’s a perfect match for Brawn GP and Formula One.”

McG, Director of Terminator Salvation, added: “The Terminator franchise has a long standing relationship with Formula One and we are thrilled to be partnering with the Brawn GP team. Formula One represents the best of mechanical engineering and is a true trial of human spirit, themes that perfectly parallel Terminator Salvation.”

Sal Ladestro, Executive Vice President of Sony Pictures Releasing International, said: “Formula One is one of the most popular sports in the world and there are no bigger stars right now than the Brawn GP team. With all eyes on Spain this weekend, we can think of no better partner to build anticipation for the international launch of Terminator Salvation than Brawn GP and the global sport of Formula One.”

Brawn's Jenson Button wins Bahrain Grand Prix

Brawn GP's Jenson Button won the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, giving the Briton his third win in the four Formula One races this year.
Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was second, 7.1 seconds behind Button, and Toyota's Jarno Trulli, the polesitter, took third at the Sakhir circuit.
The result gives Button a 12-point lead in the drivers' championship, with a two-week break before the series heads to Europe.
"This race win for us is probably the best out of the lot, because we don't have a competitive edge," said Button, referring to his rival teams' recent improvement. "We are not as strong as we used to be and had to work doubly hard."
Defending champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth for McLaren, ahead of Brawn GP's Rubens Barrichello. Kimi Raikkonen finished sixth to give Ferrari its first points of the season, with Toyota's Timo Glock and Renault's Fernando Alonso seventh and eighth.
Button's key move was when he passed Hamilton at the start of the second lap, while Vettel got stuck behind the McLaren, which was slower through bends but hard to pass because of its KERS power-boost.
"That move really made the race for us," Button said.
Glock started on the outside of the front row and got the best of the start to lead Trulli in the early stages, and the Toyota teammates held that advantage until the first set of pit stops. However, Toyota's strategy to use the less-preferred medium-compound tire through the long second stint of the race gave a the advantage to Button, who effectively led from the 13th of 57 laps.

Button has 31 points from four races, putting him 12 points ahead of Barrichello. Brawn is well out front in the constructors' championship as well.
Ferrari's points avoided it going through the first four races of the season without a point for the first time in its F1 history.