Birthdays call for special throwbacks, and today marks Jenson Button’s 49th birthday. The 2009 world champion had some memorable moments in his career, both on and off the track. Now often heard giving his insights after the race, Button was almost made for the mic. Especially at the 2011 Autosport Awards with Sebastian Vettel.
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Button made his way to the stage to collect this trophy for the British Driver of the year. Driving in the McLaren that year, Button had put up a mega-fight against Sebastian Vettel for the driver’s crown. However, he lost the title to the German by a staggering 122 points.
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In his acceptance speech at the Autosport event, Button said, “2011 has been a really good year. Its not been perfect. You know there’s been one guy out there Seb and Red Bull, who have done a great job this year, I must say. Staggering job.”
That’s about where the praises ended. Button went on to joke about Vettel, who turned up to the gala with his collar open. “We haven’t been good enough to beat them, but I did wear a tie tonight. Seb.” Button went on to take an extra bow tie from his coat and offered it to Vettel while still on the stage.
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Soon Vettel found himself in front of the mic while accepting his award for being the International Driver of the Year. Vettel clapped back at the Brit: “That’s alright, ill do that when I’m 30 plus.” Vettel’s response was welcomed with a roar of laughter from the audience as Vettel gave his rival a friendly thumbs up.
Jenson Button v Sebastian Vettel and the legendary race at Canada
One of the more memorable races of the sport and Button’s most popular F1 win is the 2011 Canadian GP. One of the longest races in F1 history, Button took an impressive victory in the final lap of the race.
The race was a mess for Button. He fought through six pit stops, a collision with his teammate, and was at the back of the pack with 30 laps to go. All in the rain.
Then suddenly in the final moments, after the turmoil of a four-hour epic, Button passed Webber and Schumacher with six laps to go; and now he was a spot away from victory. Charging behind the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel, the German lost grip on the final lap of the wet race, leaving the door open wide enough for Button to take the victory.
Thus, Button may have beaten Vettel in a memorable race, but Vettel trumped the Brit at the Autosport Awards.
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