The F1 Pit Box

With the fast approach of Hungary 2009, where Jenson Button's World Championship challenge could potentially begin to unravel, let's take a look back at his first Grand Prix win, where although Formula One was a very different beast, Jenson appeared to be the same man he is today.

It's best to set the scene first. Formula One, Hungary, 2006. Michelin tyres shod Jenson's Honda, Mark Webber was in a Williams, Kimi Raikkonen was in a McLaren, Ralf Schumacher was in a Toyota, Michael Schumacher was in a Ferrari, Fisichella was in a Renault and a V10 could be found in the rear of every car. Aside from Ralf, de la Rosa, Scott Speed, Klien and Liuzzi are drivers we no longer see lining up on the grid, along with the Super Aguri team.

An engine blow-up saw Button's Honda fill the 14th slot on the grid, with Kimi on Pole. The rain started in earnest a few laps into the race, but Button had progressed to an impressive 4th position after 15 laps, however his pit stop a few laps later dropped him to 6th. The wet track was proving a challenge, and everyone from Michael Schumacher downwards slipped off the track, however it was Kimi in his McLaren who changed the race when he drove into the back of Liuzzi.

As carbon fibre fell on the track with the raindrops, a safety car was introduced, and Button's assured driving had put him second behind race leader Alonso. The safety car disappeared and with 29 laps to go, Button began to hunt down Alonso. His pit stop sees a twist of wing, a tank of fuel, but no tyres. He returns to the track.

Alonso's stop doesn't go quite to plan, as a faulty wheel nut on his freshly dry-tyred Renault halts his progress a few corners after exiting the pits, and Jenson Button finds himself half a second ahead of the rest of the field, on a drying track, with a pit stop to go.

You know the rest. Button's elation is clear as he dares to punch the air in celebration the corner before he crosses the finishing line, this was a race he drove better than any other driver; he didn't slide off the road, he didn't hit another car and he overtook Michael Schumacher in a straight fight. It was Button's day.

In the post race interview, he says the win is the 'first of many' and he was right, but did he really think he would have to wait another two whole seasons for it to happen again? Just like Mark Webber's maiden win was a popular one, Jenson Button taking the 2009 Driver's World Championship would be too, but to achieve it, he has to reaffirm Brawn's dominance this weekend. Drive it like 2006, Jenson, and you'll be fine.