Button and Brawn named in New Year’s Honours list 01 Jan 2010
The achievements of Britain’s Jenson Button and former team boss Ross Brawn have been recognised by their country after both were named in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list.
Button, the reigning Formula One drivers’ champion, has been appointed an MBE (Member of the British Empire), while Brawn, who led his Brawn GP team to the 2009 title double, becomes an OBE (Officer of the British Empire).
"This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life," Button was quoted as saying by British Formula One broadcasters, the BBC.
Following Lewis Hamilton’s success in 2009, Button became the second Englishman in succession to take the F1 crown, winning six Grands Prix en route to glory. The pair will become team mates for 2010 following Button’s switch from Brawn to McLaren.
Ross Brawn formed Brawn GP from the ashes of the former Honda team, leading a management buyout after the Japanese company decided to withdraw from Formula One racing in late 2008.
After the team won both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles at their first attempt, Brawn sold a controlling stake to engine suppliers Mercedes. Brawn will stay on as team principal for 2010, when Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg will compete for the re-named Mercedes GP team.
