Formula 1 World Champion Jenson Button becomes the proud holder of an MBE following being qualified with the honour by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in London on Wednesday. The occasion verifies that both McLaren drivers have now received the tribute, courtesy of their character title successes in 2008 and 2009. Like previous Team Principal Ross Brawn, Button's name was exposed on the latest New Year's Honours List, with the previous having picked up an OBE in March.Button collected his MBE on Wednesday morning, having come back from Turkey after finishing second in the Istanbul Park on Sunday.
"The last 18 months have been an incredible period in my life," 30-year-old Jenson said. "Starting last year facing almost impossible odds, I achieved my childhood dream of winning the Formula 1 World Championship and I'm now driving for one of the greatest teams in the sport.
"To also be recognised by Her Majesty the Queen and the British people is the greatest honour I could possibly imagine. "My whole life in motorsport has been an incredible journey. When I started karting as an 8-year-old boy, I could only dream of racing in Formula 1 or becoming World Champion. Even now, those dreams still feel unbelievable and fantastic to me.
"To visit Buckingham Palace today is another huge step along that journey. To be awarded the MBE by Her Majesty the Queen is a very great honour for me and a significant milestone in my life. Today makes me incredibly proud to be British and to be able represent my country on the world's stage.
"Being Formula 1 World Champion, and receiving the MBE today, carries with it great responsibility that I am proud to take on and uphold."
