F1 team review - Brawn GP

"Jenson Button came alive in 2009 and fulfilled his potential at last by winning the drivers' world title.

"He made it hard for himself; he clearly tightened up in qualifying as the year went on and he succumbed to the pressure of leading the championship from race one, which I can understand.

"In the end, Button is a worthy world champion and nobody this year deserved the title more than him in my view.

"There were some truly tremendous drives and, among his six victories in 2009, Monaco and Turkey were exceptional.

Some of the drivers are still scratching their heads about how Button managed to beat them in Istanbul by such a huge margin.

"He also had four pole position laps of excellent quality, but the way he overtook, in an era when overtaking is rare, stood out for me.

"He has executed 10 magnificent passes this year and they have not just been against midfielders, but also Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel and Robert Kubica.

"He only finished out of the points once in the entire season, when Romain Grosjean ran him out of the Belgium Grand Prix - although he shouldn't have been down that end of the field in the first place.

"I suspect the 29-year-old will end up staying with Brawn to defend his world crown.

"But he'll have to raise his game further to beat Alonso in a strong Ferrari, Hamilton in a resurgent McLaren, and Vettel in an ever-improving Red Bull.

"He will have an inner confidence now that he has ticked the world championship box, though he is going to be the new target for the rest of the pack.

"Button just needs to sort out his consistency in qualifying for 2010.

"There is no denying that it will be hard for Button and Brawn next year. The expectation level at the start of this year was zero, but it will be 100% at the beginning of 2010."

What three words would you use to describe what it's like to be a Formula One driver?
Wow, wow - and wow

What is the biggest perk of the job?
Racing a Formula One car against the best drivers in the world - it's as simple and amazing as that.

How would you like to be remembered as an F1 driver?
As a world champion and someone who worked very hard to build a strong team.

What is your most embarrassing sporting moment?
Luckily I haven't had too many. I'd say forgetting my bicycle saddle when I went to compete in a triathlon.

Who is the worst dressed Formula One driver?
He has already left F1 (Michael we miss you).

Ayrton Senna or Alain Prost
In my view it would be wrong to try to choose between them. They both had some amazing qualities.

Spa or Monaco?
For me, Spa is more of a fun circuit because you can race and overtake. Monaco is intense but I prefer a circuit where you can really race.

BUTTON STATS & FACTS Team: Brawn GP Team-mate: Rubens Barrichello Previous teams: Williams, Benetton, Renault Car number: 22 Nationality: British Born: 19/01/1980, Frome Grand Prix debut: Australia 2000 Grands Prix entered: 171 Wins: 7 Pole positions: 7 Podiums: 24 Points: 327

If you weren't an F1 driver what would you be?

I get asked this question a lot and I really struggle because I really can't envisage ever being anything else other than an F1 driver.

Who is the greatest sportsman of all time?
That's also a tough one because there are so many great sportsmen and sportswomen in their respective disciplines.

I would have to say that Michael Schumacher's dedication to the sport has shown that he is both talented and willing to give everything to be the best.

I'll also say Lance Armstrong because of how many times he has won the Tour de France.

What would be your perfect day off?
Lying on a beach with my girlfriend, a bit of reading, a bit of scuba diving, then a nice massage.

Where is your favourite place to go on holiday?
The south of France. It's great that it's right on my doorstep. Great food and great beaches.

Apart from a house what is the most expensive thing that you own?
My motor home, which I am parting company with very soon.

What is your favourite item of clothing?
A pair of white Converse trainers

What is your favourite music to drive to?
I like old tunes when I'm driving. They're fun and uplifting. Billy Ocean, that kind of thing.

Which famous person - dead or alive - would you like to have dinner with and why?
The Queen. I think she has an amazing story, and yes, she can bring the corgis, no problem.

Tell us something about yourself that most F1 fans might not know.
In my hometown there is a pub named after me - The Frome Flyer on Jenson Avenue. How cool is that?!

Steve McQueen or Paul Newman?
Steve McQueen, king of cool. Le Mans is the only racing movie that is totally realistic.

Boxers or briefs?
Boxers for sure.

Angelina Jolie or Keira Knightley?
Angelina. Apart from the obvious, I really admire her. She does a lot of great humanitarian work and it's important to give something back.

James Bond or Austin Powers?
James Bond, but only Daniel Craig because he does the rough and tough stuff. I think every guy likes to imagine themselves in the James Bond guise.

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