Jenson Button: Melbourne Memories

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Jenson Button may have hung up his Formula 1 racing boots for McLaren Honda, but his victories at Albert Park are still standout in one’s mind. As the F1 circus hits Melbourne for the first race of 2017, Helena Hicks takes a look back at Button’s triple wins at Albert Park.

2009 saw Button’s first win at the Melbourne circuit. Racing for Brawn GP and partnering Rubens Barrichello, Button took pole position on the Saturday which was his first for the team. In the race, Button led the field from start to finish, leading his team-mate.

A stoked Button labelled it as a: “fairytale ending for the first race.” After crossing the line first at six of the opening seven races, of course Button went on to win the 2009 championship title which made him one of the most successful British F1 drivers of all time.

One year on, a triumphant Button secured his second victory on Australian. This time, the Briton raced for McLaren – a three year deal that was reportedly worth in excess of £6 million. Melbourne was the second race of the 2010 season, and he came from fourth on the grid to take the chequered flag.

Button was the first man to pit for slick tyres on a damp track which was quickly drying out. This strategy lifted him to second place after the other drivers had pitted. He then went on to take the lead when Sebastian Vettel had to retire with brake issues. Button held on to the end without another tyre change, making him a very worthy and memorable winner.

His third and final win came in 2012 when he dominated from start to finish. With Kimi Raikkonen’s return to the grid after a two-year absence, there was a total of six world champions lining up on the starting grid – the highest number in history of the championship.

Button qualified second to Lewis Hamilton, before going on to win the first race of the season in Australia. Hamilton was beaten to the first corner by his team-mate, which ultimately meant a speedy Button was able to pull away from the rest of the field. “We had a strong winter and qualifying really shows that. It’s nice to come away with a win in the first race of the season. Every win means a lot to you,” Button commented when interviewed by the BBC post-race.

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