Thursday, September 2, 2010

Damon Hill welcomed new world champion Jenson Button to the exclusive ‘British F1 Champions’ club with some friendly words of warning.

Button became Britain’s tenth F1 world champion, following the likes of Hill, Sir Jackie Stewart and Lewis Hamilton, by finishing fifth at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

And Hill hailed his fellow Briton’s win before warning that the victory could prove hard to come to terms with. 

“Jenson’s the playboy world champion. Everyone feels good for him,” the 1996 champion said.

“But it’s not something that immediately you can adjust to because you spend so long striving for this goal that actually seems totally unobtainable.

“In Jenson’s case and Lewis’ case, they started when they were kids and they had this goal and once you pass that goal it’s very difficult to readjust your mindset to putting it in the bank. It can’t be taken away.

“It’s something which lives with you for the rest of your life and you appreciate it more as time goes by.”

But Hill added he had been impressed by the Brawn GP driver’s race in Brazil.

“Jenson really put his stamp on it,” said Hill.

“He showed everyone that he was determined to win this one and take it - and wasn’t going to have it given to him.”

And three-time champion Stewart added his own praise: “It was a very clever race. He paced himself correctly.

“At the end of the day that’s how you win world championships.”

Button’s triumph largely overshadowed Mark Webber’s win in Brazil - only his second ever F1 victory - but the Australian driver admitted the Frome flyer was a worthy title winner.

 “He has driven very well,” said the Red Bull driver. “Brawn had some strengths and weaknesses, but JB did a good job so I want to congratulate him.”