Formula 1: Button finally delivers to take deserved world title

SAO PAULO - He has had his critics but Jenson Button finally proved he is a worthy world champion with a drive oozing confidence to claim fifth place in the Brazilian GP and more importantly the points he needed to secure a first Formula One title.

Starting from 14th on the grid Sunday after a qualifying session that the 29-year-old admitted made him feel sick, Button scythed his way through the field at Interlagos to extinguish the title hopes of teammate Rubens Barrichello and Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel.

Barrichello started from pole and needed to win and hope Button finished off the podium but a late puncture while lying third put to rest any hopes of a first home GP win for the Brazilian.

Vettel, meanwhile, somehow needed to make it to the podium from a grid placing of 16 and although in the end the 22-year managed a superb fourth, it wasn’t enough to prevent the crowning of Button, who now has an insurmountable 17-point lead in the drivers’ standings ahead of the season-ending race in Abu Dhabi Nov 1.

“I am the world champion baby,” said an ecstatic Button, who also gave a rendition of “we are the champions” from the cockpit after he crossed the finishing line. “It’s the most amazing day today.”

Like his team principal Ross Brawn, Button was quick to hand some of the credit for his achievement to the scores of workers who lost their jobs at the end of last year when Honda pulled the plug on its F1 venture and Brawn GP was born.

“We’ve come through strong and we are going to have a great few days,” he said. “It’s the most amazing day today.”

Button has come a long way since those dark days, when like Barrichello, he didn’t even know if he would have a drive for the 2009 season, never mind compete for the title.

Now in his 10th season in the sport, Button has finally delivered on the promise he first showed when he joined Williams in 2000.

Winning six of the first races of the season, Button initially looked like he would run away with the title but a mid-season wobble saw his lead over Barrichello cut to 14 with just two races remaining.

However, instead of folding in the run-in, Button put in a drive full of composure to secure the points he needed to get him over the line.

Now all that remains is for Button is to negotiate a new contract with Brawn GP for the 2010 season so he has the opportunity to defend his title.