Jenson Button, the Formula 1 world champion of 2009, has unveiled an extraordinary truth about the sport's coveted championship trophy. Despite achieving the pinnacle of motorsport, titleholders are not permitted to retain the original trophy permanently. Button's personal account sheds light on the unexpected requirement to relinquish the trophy and the significant expense involved in acquiring a duplicate, revealing a lesser-known facet of Formula 1 success that contrasts with common assumptions about championship accolades.
Button's championship victory in 2009 was a remarkable feat, particularly given the challenging circumstances faced by his Brawn-GP team. Emerging from the ashes of Honda's withdrawal from F1 at the close of 2008, Brawn-GP, with limited resources compared to industry giants like McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull, orchestrated one of Formula 1's most astonishing triumphs. Their success was largely attributed to the ingenious exploitation of a regulatory loophole, which allowed their cars to generate unprecedented levels of downforce through a double diffuser design.
This tactical advantage propelled Button to six victories in the initial seven races of the season, establishing a formidable lead while rival teams struggled to adapt and catch up. Although his winning streak did not extend into the latter part of the season, Button skillfully managed to maintain his lead, ultimately fending off Sebastian Vettel to secure the championship title.
During a recent Q&A session on the Sky Sports F1 YouTube channel, Button addressed a common query regarding the championship trophy: whether F1 world champions get to keep it. The trophy, which was first designed in 1995, is a unique piece of art, engraved with the signatures of every title winner since Giuseppe Farina in 1950. It is specifically designed to accommodate signatures for the first century of the championship, symbolizing its historical significance.
However, Button disclosed that drivers are only custodians of the trophy for the duration of their reign as champion. Once a new champion is crowned, the trophy must be surrendered to its new holder. Button experienced this firsthand when Sebastian Vettel dethroned him in 2010. Button remarked, "The answer is no [you don't get to keep it], which amazed me. I got this trophy for the year when I won the world championship. You get to look at it. If you don't win it the next year, you have to give it back! That's the one trophy that travels to the current world champion." This practice ensures the trophy remains a continuous symbol of current supremacy.
To fill the void in his personal collection, Button was informed he would need to purchase a replica. Initially, the Briton, who had moved to McLaren for the 2010 season, was reluctant to do so. Fortunately, his manager intervened, generously covering the approximate £35,000 cost to ensure Button had a commemorative piece of silverware. "I had to buy a world championship replica trophy," he explained. "I was like, 'I'm not doing that! I've just spent a whole year working on winning that trophy, so my manager was kind enough to buy it for me. I think the replica was about £35k, so it's a lot of cash to fork out for something you've won already! It was a lovely gift from my manager."
Button's narrative underscores that while the glory of winning a Formula 1 World Championship is immense, the physical symbol of that achievement is fleeting, serving as a perpetual challenge for future champions. The story also highlights the unique traditions and financial realities that can accompany such a prestigious title.