Jenson Button clinches F1 title in Brazil

Thanks to an impressive drive following a poor qualifying session and mistakes by rivals, British driver Jenson Button claimed his first Formula One World Driving Championship last weekend with a fifth-place finish at the Brazilian GP. With only one race remaining, Button has an insurmountable lead in the point standings, ahead of Brawn teammate Rubens Barrichelo.

Button started the race in 14th after failing to dial in the car during qualifying. But an aggressive start and impressive driving early pushed him into fifth, allowing him to earn enough points to clinch the title. Barrichelo had a chance to extend the championship chase one more race, but a punctured tire late in the race relegated him to eighth place and out of the points.

Mark Webber easily won the race, but it was Brawn who was celebrating. Not only did Button clinch the World Driving Championship, but the team also clinched their Constructors’ Championship with the win.