At just 20 years of age, Jenson was one of the youngest drivers to ever compete in a Grand Prix, but racing was nothing new to this youngster. He began his racing career at the tender age of eight and as a raw novice he was required to start right at the back for his first event. In horrendous conditions he managed to get by the entire field to take victory. He won the British Kart Super Prix in 1989, showing from an early age that he was championship material.

From that moment on, he continued to challenge and succeed and for the next four years he repeatedly won the British Cadet, British Open and British Junior TKM Kart Series'. In 1994 he was fourth in the British Junior Kart series as well as winning races in both the Junior Intercontinental A European and Junior Intercontinental A Italian Winter Kart series'. Then the following year, he was not only the champion in the Senior ICA Italian Kart Series, he also became the youngest ever runner-up in the World Formula A Kart Series.

He remained in the world of Karts, continuing to blitz his fellow competitors for glory, until 1998 when he made the switch to the British Formula Ford series and European Formula Ford. Driving for Haywood Racing, Jenson won the title in British Formula Ford, and came in second in the European series. He also won the Formula Ford Festival the same year. In 1999 he was third in the British Formula 3 series, and earned the honour of top rookie.

Frank Williams, who was dissatisfied with his then driver, Alex Zanardi, decided that the young Button had the potential for greatness and decided to sign him to drive alongside Ralf Schumacher in 2000. Button had a lot of pressure on his young shoulders and a lot to live up to, but he proved his many critics wrong throughout his debut year in the series, scoring 12 points and finishing eighth in the championship.

Still under contract to Williams, Button moved across to Benetton for 2001 where he spent a dismal year in a constantly developing car. The team languished at the back of the grid throughout the majority of the season and although 2002 was better and he managed to secure a total of 15 points overall, that first ever podium finish continued to elude him.

Replaced by Fernando Alonso for the 2003 season, Button made the switch to British American Racing. Button had a positive first season at BAR in 2003. He was consistent all season, finishing the year with a strong fourth place in Japan. The Englishman was able to put his terrifying Monaco accident behind him and finished at a very respectable ninth place in the championship.

2004 proved to be a roller-coaster of a season for Button but come the final race of the season, the ride was complete and Button was third in the championship and BAR Honda were runner up to Ferrari. No one could have asked for more.

The 006 chassis was a big step for BAR as was the latest Honda V10 engine. This combined gave Button the equipment he had craved for so long. On track, everything was going well with a career first pole position at Imola and ten podium positions over the season. The only thing missing was that elusive first win.

Off track, Button's squeaky clean image took a pounding as he and his management team led by John Byfield got themselves embroiled in a contracts battle for the 2005 season. With Button performing, he and his management team touted his services to BMW Williams who announced the deal shortly afterwards. What followed was a bitter war of words and it was down to the contracts recognition board to rule in favour of BAR prior to the final race of the year. Byfield soon stood down at Essentially Sport, Team Principle Dave Richards was replaced by Nick Fry and Button prepared for a new season with the squad.

Any hopes of building on his impressive season were soon dashed in 2005 as three non-scores at the start of the season were followed by a three race ban for the team. Button kept his head down and from the French Grand Prix onwards, scored points in every round of the championship. Button would end the season ninth with two podium appearances but off track, he was yet again creating headlines for the wrong reasons.

After the dust had settled, Button signed a new BAR Honda contract for the 2006 season after he paid off Williams for the contract they held for his services. It was another messy episode but Button was secure in the knowledge that he had a long-term deal with Honda.

Firmly under contact with Honda, Button had a solid season in 2006 on his way to sixth position in the championship. Honda provided a strong package and Button held the upper hand over new team-mate Rubens Barrichello for much of the season. The Hungarian Grand Prix saw Button finally record that elusive Grand Prix win as he chased down Fernando Alonso in slippery conditions, taking the win after Alonso pitted and then exited the pits minus his right-rear wheel nut.

With a win finally under his belt, 2007 should have been the breakout season for Button but it would prove to be a dismal year.

The RA107 was not a good race car. In fact it was awful with suggestions that a calibration error in the wind tunnel was to blame for the turkey of a car. To Button's credit, he did not let the poor equipment effect his motivation and pushed hard from the first to last race of the season. His reward for his efforts was just six championship points while team-mate Barrichello failed to score.

Button remains with Honda for 2008 and unless the team can make big strides this year, will be on the lookout for a new seat for the 2009 season.