Jenson Button earned himself a place in the Formula One history books with a pole-to-flag victory over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello in Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix — the Briton’s five victory in six races so far this season.
In achieving that feat, Button’s joins a pantheon F1 greats Alberto Ascari (1952), Juan Manuel Fangio (1954), Jim Clark (1965), Sir Jackie Stewart (1969), Nigel Mansell (1992) and Michael Schumacher (1994, 2002 and 2004). Button also spearheaded a third Brawn GP one-two of the season, stretching his convincing lead over Barrichello to 16 points, while putting the team over 40 points ahead of nearest rivals Red Bull in the constructor’s championship. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen finished third to get back on the podium for the first time since last year’s Brazilian Grand Prix.
Starting from his fourth pole position of the season and the seventh of his career, 29–year-old Button pulled clear at the start and, apart from brief interruptions due to pit-stops, led all the way with a supreme display.
Don’t Miss
F1 furor explained
Button snatches Monaco pole
US team confirm F1 entry
Court rules against Ferrari
Button, who becomes the first driver since Michael Schumacher in 2006 to complete a hat-trick of consecutive Grand Prix wins, is now on 51 points in the standings, ahead of Brazilian veteran Barrichello with Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who crashed out on Sunday, another 12 points adrift in third position overall.
