Stars
Button faces another huge challenge
(China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-20 09:38
Fact file
* The 29-year-old is Britain's 10th Formula One world champion, following on from his new teammate and compatriot Lewis Hamilton.
* He leaves Brawn GP, who will become Mercedes Grand Prix in the 2010 season, to join McLaren in an all-English lineup of champions.
* Button has started 171 grands prix and won seven, six of those victories coming in the first seven races of this season.
* The Englishman made his F1 debut with Williams in Australia in 2000 after winning a "shoot-out" with Brazilian Bruno Junquiera for the seat vacated by Italian Alex Zanardi.
* In only his second race, in Brazil aged 20, he became the youngest driver to score a point (a feat since surpassed by Germany's Sebastian Vettel).
* He moved to Benetton, later Renault, in 2001 and then to BAR in 2003 when he also had the biggest crash of his career at the Monaco Grand Prix.
* Button signed with Williams in 2004 but a contract recognition board ruled he had to stay with BAR for 2005. He then had to spend millions to buy himself out of the Williams deal to stay with BAR (renamed Honda) in 2006.
* Button won his first grand prix with Honda in Hungary 2006, his 113th start.
* In a dream debut season, he won the championship with a race to spare at the Brazilian Grand Prix while Brawn GP took the constructors' title.
Reuters
