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06 Nov 2009

The 2009 Season Review - Button a natural Brawn winner

Well, that was some season! Yet another stunning FIA Formula One World Championship that created a fresh and unexpected chapter of history.

Brawn GP, the Phoenix that rose from the ashes of Honda, became the first ‘new’ team ever to win their first two races and go on to win both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. They won eight races, took four one-twos and 15 podiums, though they didn' t have it all their own way...

VOTE

Which Formula One newcomer impressed you most in 2009?

Jaime Alguersuari
start point start point start point 26.56%
Romain Grosjean
start point start point start point 19.40%
Kamui Kobayashi
start point start point start point 54.04%

GALLERY

Schlegelmilch photographic review - Abu Dhabi

  • Red Bull celebrate after the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
  • The winner of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is interviewed after the race
  • The top-three finishers celebrate on the Abu Dhabi podium
  • Race winner Sebastian Vettel celebrates on the Abu Dhabi podium
  • Race winner Sebastian Vettel takes the chequered flag at the first Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in the Red Bull and clinches second place in the championship
  • Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher visits Ferrari's pit wall command centre in Abu Dhabi

GALLERY

From karting to F1 racing - Nico Hulkenberg's career in pictures

  • (L to R): Nico Hulkenberg (GER) ART Grand Prix with Patrick Head (GBR) Williams director of engineering. Formula One World Championship, Rd 13, Italian Grand Prix, Race, Monza, Italy, Sunday, 13 September 2009
  • Championship winner Nico Hulkenberg (GER) ART Grand Prix celebrates on the podium. GP2 Series, Rd 9, Race 2, Monza, Italy, Sunday 13 September 2009.
  • Nico Hulkenberg (GER) ART Grand Prix. GP2 Series, Rd 7, Practice and Qualifying, Valencia, Spain, Friday 21 August 2009.

VETTEL ON '09: 'I HATE LOSING'

Sebastian reviews his season

He admits he has grown as a driver, but that doesn't make him any less angry after missing out on the title...

BARRICHELLO TO HIT 300

Rubens to Williams for 2010

The Brazilian is set to become the first man to make 300 F1 starts next season after winning a new drive...

GALLERY

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Sunday at Yas Marina

  • Fernando Alonso (ESP) Renault R29 runs wide. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Race, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, 1 November 2009
  • Jarno Trulli (ITA) Toyota TF109. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Race, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, 1 November 2009
  • Rubens Barrichello (BRA) Brawn Grand Prix BGP 001. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Race, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Sunday, 1 November 2009

ABU DHABI RACE REPORT

Vettel and Red Bull triumphant

A brilliant win for the young German cemented his second place in the drivers' world championship…

DHL FASTEST LAP AWARD

Vettel scoops top honours

He may have missed out on the title, but Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel was the fastest man on track in 2009...

NICK HEIDFELD Q&A

'I'll be here next season'

BMW may be bidding farewell and he may have no confirmed 2010 drive, but the German is staying calm...

SENNA IN FOR 2010

Campos Meta drive confirmed

The legendary Senna name will return to F1 racing next year when Bruno, nephew of Ayrton, makes his debut...

GALLERY

Yas Marina Circuit - a pictorial track tour

  • Circuit at sunset. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009
  • The Shams Tower and an Eithad F1 plane. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009
  • The Yas Hotel at night. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009
  • The Yas Hotel at night. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009
  • The circuit at sunset. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009
  • Pit garage for Kamui Kobayashi (JPN) Toyota. Formula One World Championship, Rd 17, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Preparations, Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, UAE, Wednesday, 28 October 2009

BUTTON'S ROAD TO GLORY

How keeping the faith paid off

This time last year Jenson Button's F1 future did not look bright - 12 months on he is on top of the world...

BRAWN'S F1 FAIRYTALE

Ross's men do the double

The Brazilian Grand Prix brought them five points - enough to secure the constructors' title at their first attempt...

GALLERY

Jenson Button - a career in pictures

  • Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix celebrates winning the World Championship with his father John Button (GBR). Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009
  • Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix celebrates winning the World Championship. Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009
  • World Champion Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix celebrates with the team. Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009

GALLERY

Button and Brawn celebrate championship double, Interlagos, Brazil

  • Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix celebrates winning the World Championship in parc ferme. Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009
  • Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix celebrates winning the World Championship in parc ferme. Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009
  • Brawn GP mechanics celebrate World Championship victory for Jenson Button (GBR) Brawn Grand Prix. Formula One World Championship, Rd 16, Brazilian Grand Prix, Race, Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, 18 October 2009

GALLERY

Ferrari's Felipe Massa back on track, Fiorano, Italy

  • Felipe Massa (BRA) tests a Ferrari F2007 at Fiorano, Italy. October 12, 2009. © Ferrari
  • Felipe Massa (BRA) tests a Ferrari F2007 at Fiorano, Italy. October 12, 2009. © Ferrari
  • Felipe Massa (BRA) tests a Ferrari F2007 at Fiorano, Italy. October 12, 2009. © Ferrari

ASK THE EXPERT

Renault's Fernando Alonso

Woody Allen, Ray Bans, Spanish cyclist Carlos Sastre and the Maldives are just some of the topics...

KUBICA ON THE MOVE

Pole to Renault for 2010

With BMW Sauber's F1 future still uncertain, their star driver has confirmed a new drive...

GALLERY

Renault Roadshow in Bucharest, Romania, 10-11 October 2009

  • Lucas di Grassi, Renault Roadshow, Bucharest, Romania, October 10-11, 2009. © Renault F1
  • Romain Grosjean, Renault Roadshow, Bucharest, Romania, October 10-11, 2009. © Renault F1
  • Lucas di Grassi, Renault Roadshow, Bucharest, Romania, October 10-11, 2009. © Renault F1

IN CONVERSATION

Bernie Ecclestone & Niki Lauda

The two Formula One veterans talk about recent events and reminisce about the old days…

INSIDE THE US F1 TEAM

Q&A with Ken Anderson

Keen to allay rumours that they may not be ready in time for 2010, the team reveal impressive progress...

GALLERY

Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA

  • Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team
  • Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team
  • Inside the US F1 Team factory, Charlotte, NC, USA © US F1 Team

GALLERY

F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG, Fort Canning Park

  • Lindsay Lohan, F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG, Fort Canning Park, Singapore, 26 September 2009. © F1 ROCKS™
  • Beyonce, F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG, Fort Canning Park, Singapore, 26 September 2009. © F1 ROCKS™
  • Black Eyed Peas, F1 ROCKS™ Singapore with LG, Fort Canning Park, Singapore, 26 September 2009. © F1 ROCKS™

LIFE ON THE WIRE - PART THREE

The race engineer unravelled

Brawn GP's Jock Clear helps us to examine one of the toughest jobs in the Formula One paddock...

LIFTING THE LID

F1 helmets uncovered

A look at the technology that almost certainly saved the life of Ferrari's Felipe Massa at the Hungaroring...

GALLERY

Formula One faces at the Goodwood Revival meeting, England

  • Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner (GBR) Goodwood Revival, Goodwood, England, 20-21 September 2009.
  • Jochen Mass (GER) Lancia Ferrari D50A. Goodwood Revival, Goodwood, England, 20-21 September 2009.
  • Richard Attwood (GBR) celebrates a win with Miss Goodwood. Goodwood Revival, Goodwood, England, 20-21 September 2009.

GALLERY

F1 in Schools world championships, London, England

  • The starting lights. F1 in Schools World Championships 2009, London, England, 17 September 2009. © Ebrey/ F1 in Schools
  • Lewis Hamilton (GBR) McLaren with the winning Irish team. F1 in Schools World Championships 2009, London, England, 17 September 2009. © Ebrey/ F1 in Schools
  • The F1 in Schools competing teams. F1 in Schools World Championships 2009, Royal Horticultural Halls, London, England, 17 September 2009. © Ebrey/ F1 in Schools

ASK THE EXPERT

Ferrari's Felipe Massa

Sao Paulo's See Metropolitan Cathedral, Pele, and Robert de Niro are just some of the topics...

THE LOTUS NAME RETURNS

History of a Formula One legend

Seven championships, 79 victories and 107 pole positions - Colin Chapman's team knew how to win...

GALLERY

Lotus - a Formula One history

  • Johnny Herbert (GBR), Lotus 109. Portuguese Grand Prix, Rd13, Estoril, Portugal, 25 September 1994.
  • Mika Hakkinen (FIN) (right) shares a joke with his Lotus mechanics in his final GP with the team. Australian Grand Prix, Adelaide, 8 November 1992.
  • Johnny Herbert (GBR) Lotus 102B, Belgian Grand Prix, Spa, 25 August 1991

GALLERY

F1 drivers at the 2009 eSafety Challenge, Rome, Italy

  • Heikki Kovalainen at the 2009 eSafety Challenge, Rome, Italy, September 8, 2009. © eSafetyAware
  • Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 eSafety Challenge, Rome, Italy, September 8, 2009. © eSafetyAware
  • Timo Glock at the 2009 eSafety Challenge, Rome, Italy, September 8, 2009. © eSafetyAware

GALLERY

Fernando Alonso at Renault Roadshow, Oviedo, Spain

  • Fernando Alonso, Renault Roadshow, Oviedo, Spain. September 5, 2009. © Frederic Le Floch/DPPI/RenaultF1
  • Fernando Alonso, Renault Roadshow, Oviedo, Spain. September 5, 2009. © Frederic Le Floch/DPPI/RenaultF1
  • Fernando Alonso, Renault Roadshow, Oviedo, Spain. September 5, 2009. © Frederic Le Floch/DPPI/RenaultF1

IN CONVERSATION

Bernie Ecclestone & Sebastian Vettel

Despite more than 50 years between them, you'll be surprised how much they have in common...

ASK THE EXPERT

Toro Rosso's Jaime Alguersuari

Barcelona buildings by Gaudi, and Berlin's Panoramabar - we set the Spaniard some posers...

GALLERY

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen contests Rally Finland, Jyvaskyla, Finland

  • Kimi Raikkonen (FIN), FIAT Punto Abarth, on stage 9. World Rally Championship, Rd9, Neste Oil Rally Finland, Jyvaskyla, Finland. Day One, Friday 31 July 2009.
  • Kimi Raikkonen (FIN), FIAT Punto Abarth, on stage 5. World Rally Championship, Rd9, Neste Oil Rally Finland, Jyvaskyla, Finland. Day One, Friday 31 July 2009.
  • Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) in the service area World Rally Championship, Rd9, Neste Oil Rally Finland, Jyvaskyla, Finland. Day One, Friday 31 July 2009.

ASK THE EXPERT

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen

The record-breaking Espoo Blues, James Hunt's F1 stats, Olympic snowboarding - the 'Iceman's' depth of knowledge may surprise you...

ASK THE EXPERT

Toyota's Timo Glock

Will Smith films, Eddie Jordan's musical antics, AC/DC and Valentino Rossi - just a few of the topics as the German takes our trivia challenge...

GALLERY

Formula One stars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed

  • Mark Webber (AUS), Reb Bull RB4. Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Sussex, England, 4-5 July 2009.
  • Timo Glock (GER), Toyota TF108. Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Sussex, England, 4-5 July 2009.
  • Jenson Button (GBR) signs autographs for the fans. Goodwood Festival of Speed, Goodwood House, Sussex, England, 4-5 July 2009.

ASK THE EXPERT

McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen

Ice hockey, Formula One statistics, James Bond, and his team principal's employment history - did the Finn take our trivia test in his stride?

ASK THE EXPERT

Force India's Adrian Sutil

Which Indian dish is the most popular in Britain? Who invented the modern piano? And for which films was Alfred Hitchcock nominated for an Oscar?

2009 Season complete

Final Driver Standings Final Constructor Standings 2009 Race Videos

2010 SEASON

2010 Race Calendar Buy Race Tickets

LAST RACE

Abu Dhabi
01 S.Vettel 1:34:03.414
02 M.Webber +17.8 secs
03 J.Button +18.4 secs
Fastest Lap
S.Vettel 1:40.279
Pole Position
L.Hamilton 1:40.948
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:55:14
The sun sets on a fantastic 2009 season. Abu Dhabi a fitting location to close such an enthralling year
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:48:07
A flypast from an Etihad aircraft preceeds the start of the race
CAPTURED SUN Race at 16:59:58
The grid, led by Hamilton, set out on the formation lap
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:03:30
Sixteen down, one to go... and it starts now!
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:03:44
Everyone makes it through the first corner intact, apart from some front wing damage to Barrichello's Brawn
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:04:04
Vettel has a good look at Hamilton but can't find a way through
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:04:48
Trulli and Kubica scrap it out for sixth, with the BMW Sauber driver winning
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:06:38
Button, having passed Barrichello, sets after Webber
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:19:16
Having been relegated to 18th after a gearbox change, Kovalainen quickly climbs back to 13th but then gets stuck behind Raikkonen
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:22:35
Hamilton locks a wheel and runs wide, losing time to Vettel
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:31:01
Barrichello and Kubica stop together from fifth and sixth. The Brazilian comes out ahead
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:32:39
Hamilton pits from the lead, but may not have enough time in hand to keep his place from Vettel
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:35:51
Chaos in the Red Bull garage as Alguersuari pulls into the wrong pit box, just as Vettel is approaching
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:36:17
Vettel makes his stop and returns to the track ahead of Hamilton
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:39:30
Not the greatest day for Hamilton, who retires with a suspected brake problem
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:49:12
Kobayashi is looking good, running in third and on a one-stop strategy
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:53:41
Raikkonen pulls in for his sole stop of the day
CAPTURED SUN Race at 17:55:15
Kobayashi dives in for his stop and emerges in 12th
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:00:46
Sutil forces his way past Grosjean for 16th
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:07:18
Sutil continues his charge with a brave move up the inside of Liuzzi
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:13:08
Webber makes his second stop, filtering out behind Trulli who has yet to stop again
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:14:18
Barrichello and Heidfeld pit from third and fourth
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:16:47
Kubica tries to pass Buemi, but the Swiss holds firm and the Pole slips into a spin
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:31:11
Button starts to catch Webber, with less than 10 laps to go
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:34:21
Grosjean locks up and Fisichella is there to snatch 16th away from the Renault driver
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:36:56
Button has a couple of lunges at Webber on the last lap, but the experienced Aussie holds his ground to take second place
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:37:37
Vettel ensures his second place in the championship by winning here in Abu Dhabi following a faultless drive
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:41:55
Vettel looks delighted with his win here. Will we see more in 2010 from the German?
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:44:45
A Red Bull one-two in Abu Dhabi
CAPTURED SUN Race at 18:48:22
Champion and runner-up celebrate together. Button, Vettel and every driver has made for a truly superb season. Goodbye for 2009... we'll see you in March in Bahrain!

DRIVER STANDINGS

01 Jenson Button 95
02 Sebastian Vettel 84
03 Rubens Barrichello 77
04 Mark Webber 69.5
05 Lewis Hamilton 49
06 Kimi Räikkönen 48
07 Nico Rosberg 34.5
08 Jarno Trulli 32.5
09 Fernando Alonso 26
10 Timo Glock 24

CONSTRUCTOR STANDINGS

01 Brawn-Mercedes 172
02 RBR-Renault 153.5
03 McLaren-Mercedes 71
04 Ferrari 70
05 Toyota 59.5
06 BMW Sauber 36
07 Williams-Toyota 34.5
08 Renault 26
09 Force India-Mercedes 13
10 STR-Ferrari 8