Video: Hungary 2006 – Button's brilliant breakthrough

The Hungaroring has been kind to Britain’s best racers. Nigel Mansell pulled off a stunning win for Ferrari in 1989 after outfoxing Ayrton Senna and, three years later, nailed the world title for Williams. Damon Hill took his first win there, too, in 1993, while Lewis Hamilton this weekend bids for a record fifth victory to edge clear of fellow four-time winner Michael Schumacher.

It’s been a happy hunting ground for our boys and, on August 6, 2006, Button added his name to a pretty exclusive list.

There were no early indications that Button and his Honda team would emerge victorious in the 13^th round of that season’s World Championship. Seventh, 14^th and 17^th in the three free-practice sessions, it appeared as though championship points might be the best they could manage – particularly as a 10-place grid penalty for an earlier engine change spoiled his third-fastest qualifying effort.

After all the penalties had been applied, Button lined up 14^th on a rain-soaked grid (the first in Hungarian GP history) for his 113^th race start. What followed was a masterclass in managing the miserable conditions from the 26-year-old. Using his revered smooth style and tactical nous he carved his way up the order, running in the lead pack within seven laps.

After all the penalties had been applied, Button lined up 14^th on a rain-soaked grid (the first in Hungarian GP history) for his 113^th race start. What followed was a masterclass in managing the miserable conditions from the 26-year-old. Using his revered smooth style and tactical nous he carved his way up the order, running in the lead pack within seven laps.

Reigning World Champion Fernando Alonso had also battled his way to the front, from one slot behind Button, and looked to have things in control for Renault once polesitter and erstwhile leader Kimi Raikkonen had crashed his McLaren.

However, when the Spaniard spun into the barriers with a lose right-rear wheel, Button took over at the front and reeled off the remaining 20 laps to finally secure a win at motorsport’s highest level. He was joined on the podium by first-time visitor Pedro de la Rosa, the Spaniard bringing his McLaren home half a minute adrift, and German Nick Heidfeld, who gave BMW Sauber its first top-three finish.

After almost 10 years, 14 more wins (including the 2011 Hungarian GP, his 200^th start) for Brawn and McLaren, the 2009 Drivers’ title and another 181 Grand Prix starts, Jenson Button remains one of Formula 1’s – and British motorsport’s – greatest assets.

Photography courtesy of LAT