Formula 1
Gracious Barrichello helps Button party in Brazil
Jenson Button was able to celebrate his world championship in Brazil on Sunday night, following an astonishing gesture of generosity by his defeated rival and friend Rubens Barrichello. Sao Paulo local and Interlagos pole sitter Barrichello had ...
GMM
Published: Oct 20, 2009, 5:56 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jenson Button was able to celebrate his world championship in Brazil on Sunday night, following an astonishing gesture of generosity by his defeated rival and friend Rubens Barrichello.
Sao Paulo local and Interlagos pole sitter Barrichello had hoped to take the title down to the wire in Abu Dhabi in two weeks, but instead must travel to the United Arab Emirates now battling to retain just second in the drivers' standings.
Button must be back in Europe early this week for a Virgin sponsor commitment, meaning a British Airways flight before he had a chance to celebrate his achievement on Sunday evening.
But when word reached the Brawn camp that Button and his father's flight was delayed, 37-year-old Barrichello was so magnanimous in defeat as to offer the use of his private jet for a flight on Monday morning.
"I'm truly pleased for Jenson as a friend and he is a great champion," said the Brazilian.
"It was a true fight and I fought really hard but he really won it in the first half of the season," Barrichello added.
With the title fight now over, Button revealed the true extent of the pressure he has been under in recent weeks, particularly after qualifying a lowly 14th with Barrichello on pole in Brazil.
"After qualifying I felt sick because of how tough it was," he told reporters, having travelled without his girlfriend Jessica to Brazil.
"Without Jessica here, I was all on my own -- I did actually ask the boys if they would come and stay in my room last night (Saturday) because I knew it was going to be a tough night's sleep," Button added.
Race winner Mark Webber on Sunday wished Button well not for a wild party, but simply a good night's sleep. "He's been incredibly nervous, no question about that," said the Australian.
"He's been absolutely bricking himself the last few weeks, so he can sleep better now."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Brazilian GP: Toro Rosso race report
Next article Button celebrated title alone in hotel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Jenson Button
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Formula 1
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Latest news
Ai Ogura on brush with Marco Bezzecchi: "It was my bad"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
16 min
Ai Ogura on brush with Marco Bezzecchi: "It was my bad"
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
1 h
Marc Marquez not celebrating MotoGP title yet: "I don't want to fall into the trap"
Kimi Antonelli wants special photo with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on his wall after F1 title
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
2 h
Kimi Antonelli wants special photo with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on his wall after F1 title
Winners and losers from politically-charged MotoGP Malaysian GP
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Malaysian GP
2 h
Winners and losers from politically-charged MotoGP Malaysian GP
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe