After such a long 16 years
spells journey in Formula 1, Jenson Button announced his semi – retirement from
sports in 2016 Italian Grand Prix.
Jenson,known as his
ability to read the race situation and also his smooth driving style,and of
course do mention his 2009 world championship winning years after just in a
short time he couldn’t get drive at all,before Mr Ross Brawn offered him as his
racing driver along with legendary Rubens Barrichello.
Now he’s been off the
grid for 2017 and possibly beyond,but McLaren has decided to make a “three
driver strategy” for 2017 which relegated and promoted Stoffel Vandoorne,their
current reserve driver into the race seat alongside the two time world champion,Fernando
Alonso and meanwhile Jenson has received the offer as their reserve driver for
2017 and also as McLaren Ambassador while in 2018 McLaren hasn’t opted out that
Jenson could return to the grid.
Meanwhile,out of 305
starts of grand prix weekend (which also 2nd or 3rd in
all time starter history in Formula 1), Jenson has produced 15 wins,8 Fastest
Lap,8 Pole Position,50 Podiums and of course his 1 winning world championship
back then in 2009.
Many suggests that
Jenson is underrated compared to other drivers,but oh boy,you may not look the
history.
There are some
interesting history beyond Jenson itself,both on and off track.
·
He scored his
first points in 2000 with BMW – WILLIAMS in just the 2nd race of the
season which back then claimed he as the youngest driver ever to score a point
(which back then the point scoring rules are different compared to now)
·
Jenson win his
first race back then in 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix which he start from the back
of the grid,14th but managed to stay cautious in extreme wet
condition and shows to everyone that he has the ability to win a grand prix and
his skills on wet were superb.
·
He took the
championship by finishing in 5th place after start from 14th
on the grid due to massive understeer in his car during qualifying session
which saw Rubens,his teammate and current rival in the championship by 14
points,take pole position for the race,sadly he could only managed 8th
after his late rear left puncture which possibly caused by Lewis Hamilton
overtake.
·
Jenson were
clueless after Brawn withdrawal from the sports,but then McLaren offered him a
drive alongside the more stabilized and a world champion too as well,Lewis
Hamilton.
·
Jenson
interesting charisma were well known in the paddock and also by his fans.
·
He took his
first win debut with McLaren in 2010 Australian Grand Prix,the second race of
the season,which saw a treacherous wet-dry race action.
·
He indeed
outperformed his teammate Lewis Hamilton during his spell with McLaren until
2012.
·
Who doesn’t
remember 2011 Canadian Grand Prix eh? Six pit stop,colliding with your
teammate,colliding with your rival (Fernando Alonso),received a drive
through,plump last,a wet treacherous condition,two red flag,safety car everywhere,4
hours race,and all of a sudden,only Jenson can do that from the back of the
grid by wrestles his McLaren MP4-26 into the pack of the grid and also
Sebastian Vettel in P1,which in a last lap,he made an error by driving into the
wet patch and allowed Jenson to take the victory!
·
He also one of
the drivers beyond Michael Schumacher and possibly Alain Prost to win his 200
grand prix in 2011 Hungarian Grand Prix which also a wet-dry race action.
·
His finest
ability to control the car and tyres were proved once again in 2012,by winning
the Australian GP,the Belgian GP and of course his last win and McLaren last
win in Brazilian GP which also a very treacherous wet race.
Well
there are so many precious memories from Jenson which I think it’s enough to
write it,if you wonder more you can search it by yourself and see this man as a
worthy world champions and of course a truly gifted drivers in wet weather
condition.
Until
then,farewell Jenson,thanks for all kind of memories you’ve been giving to us,we will miss you.
