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It took nine years in the top-flight of motorsport before Jenson Button finally achieved his boyhood dream in 2009 and became Formula One World Champion. His talent and desire had been questioned on a number of occasions during his F1 career, but with the ultimate accolade next to his name he is now one of the paddock's hottest properties.

When he signed for McLaren on November 18, 2009 he joined Lewis Hamilton to form the ultimate British dream team. If it was the smartest career move for him remains to be seen.

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.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Telemetry can prove that Button is one most technically perfect drivers ever to sit behind the wheel of a Formula One car. However, throw in a few variables, such as cold tyres or a car with a tendency for oversteer, and Button sometimes struggles to adapt.

Career High
His championship winning 2009 season and his performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix which finally sealed the deal and silenced the critics who were suggesting he was not earning his title.

Career Low
114 races without a victory.

Quotes
"If I'm not winning, I don't give a damn who else is. It doesn't make any difference to me if I'm not in a competitive car. I can't be bothered with working my nuts off and qualifying fourteenth any more. It's making me unhappy."

When asked to choose between Mansell and Piquet: "Mansell. Because I like the guy and he's got a great moustache - or at least he used to have a great moustache."

Trivia
Button is the proud owner of a 1956, split windscreen, Volkswagen campervan. The Brit has a large garage of exotic cars but recently sold his Bugatti Veyron for around £900,000.

View a gallery of Jenson Button's career so far