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| Button made it to Formula One remarkably quickly, graduating from karting to grand prix racing in just two years. His skill was obvious from the start and was revered by his karting contemporaries Anthony Davidson and Hamilton. Formula Ford was the next proving ground and he duly won the British Championship in his debut year. The following year he moved to Formula 3 and again impressed. A test with the Prost F1 team led to his name being mentioned up and down the paddock. A number of testing contracts were offered, but Frank Williams shocked everyone by signing the 20-year-old to be his second driver for 2000. A solid rookie year followed but Williams replaced him with Juan Pablo Montoya for 2001 and Button moved to Benetton. At his new team he had his first experience of driving an uncompetitive car and was overshadowed by his experienced team mate Giancarlo Fisichella. Benetton morphed into Renault in 2002 but by 2003 Button had to make way for Flavio Briatore's protégé Fernando Alonso. However, BAR team principal David Richards still saw potential in the Brit and signed him to partner Jacques Villeneuve. The move began a long, at times torturous, but ultimately fruitful period with the Brackley-based team. His first podium finally came in 2004, along with a pole position at Imola and third place in the championship behind the dominant Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello. Yet questions were still being asked, as by his 114th race Button still hadn't won a grand prix. Then came the 13th round of the 2006 World Championship in Hungary and at last a change of luck. An unexpected rainstorm meant the tight Hungaroring circuit was open for overtaking and allowing him to pick his way through the field from 14th place on the grid to the top step of the podium. Despite the win the worst was yet to come. Honda produced a pair of forgettable cars for the 2007 and 2008 seasons before pulling out altogether and leaving Button with just nine points over the previous two seasons and no drive for 2009. The well worn but still magical Brawn fairy-tale then followed and, to the delight of John Button and son, the rest is history. |
