Former Formula 1 driver Jenson Button reflects on his most successful year in Formula 1: 2009. The Brit won six of the first seven races that season, and even the world championship. However, Button labels the year as ‘one of the hardest years of my life.’ Button’s successful season came just after he thought his career was over with Honda’s departure from Formula 1.
Button made his debut in Formula 1 in 2000, as a driver for Williams. The Englishman won fifteen Grand Prix during his time in the premier class and became world champion in 2009. Button himself believes that he owes his success to his ‘smooth driving style’, although his driving style also had disadvantages.
“I wasn’t very good at wrestling with the car, like other drivers could,” Button reveals, speaking to Motorsport.com. “I needed a setup that suited my driving style, and then I was unbeatable. But finding that setup is not easy. Next to someone like Lewis Hamilton or Fernando Alonso, if I could set up my car well, I could beat them. But if the setup didn’t suit my driving style, they beat me.
Honda’s Departure
After making his debut with Williams, Button drove for Benetton and BAR, which continued under the name Honda in 2006. However, in December 2008, Button was informed that Honda was leaving Formula 1. “I was shocked. It was almost December, and I thought: ‘This is it’. There were no seats left for 2009. The only option was Toro Rosso, and they wanted me to bring money. It was a difficult time.”
The 2009 Season
It was ultimately team boss Ross Brawn who proved to be Jenson Button‘s savior. In 2009, Brawn founded the new team Brawn GP and appointed the Englishman as a driver. Button then won six of the first seven races in 2009, and later that year, his first world title. However, the season was not a ‘fairy tale’ for Button.
“It was one of the hardest years of my life. It started well, but it’s hard to know exactly how well it was going because I always wanted to do better,” reflects Button. “Not being the fastest in free practice was already a failure. Everything was a failure unless I won. Whereas I should have thought: a podium finish is already a victory, because no one is taking points away from me.” Button’s 2009 title is the Brit’s only world title.
