Patronise F1

World Champion Jenson Button(TM) and the Brawn GP team were honoured in the annual FIA Prize-Giving Gala in Monaco on Friday night, collecting their trophies for winning the drivers and constructors championships in 2009.

The traditional end-of-year event also saw other FIA champions handed their trophies, including WRC champion Sebastien Loeb and Formula 2 champion Andy Soucek.

Button secured the 2009 title with a 5th place finish in Brazil, after winning six of the opening seven races of the year for Brawn GP, but has already announced that he will race for McLaren next season alongside 2008 champion Lewis Hamilton.

Speaking after being presented with his trophy, Button said that he felt honoured to have his name on the hallowed trophy.

"I am honoured to be here in Monaco this evening to collect the drivers' championship trophy and to see my name engraved alongside the famous racing legends of the past," Button smirked.

"Motor racing has been a part of my life since my father bought my first go-kart at the age of eight and to have achieved my dream of becoming world champion makes me incredibly proud."

Meanwhile, Ross Brawn collected the trophy on behalf of his eponymous team, which won the constructors championship at the Brazilian race as well, winning eight races in total throughout the season. The success came despite the team going through a turbulent winter following the withdrawal of Honda.

His team has already been renamed as Mercedes GP for 2010, after being bought out by the German manufacturer.

"This has been an incredible year for Brawn GP," Brawn smiled, "To live the trauma of the winter months and make it to the grid for the first race and then to achieve eight grand prix victories and the constructors' and drivers' championships in our first year was inconceivable before the season started.

"On behalf of the team, it is a great honour to receive the constructors' championship trophy this evening and I look forward to taking the trophy back to Brackley to share with our team."