Jenson Button wins Hawthorn Memorial award

By Phil Huff
June 20 2006

Jenson Button at least has one reason to smile following his recent results on the race circuit, as he's been awarded the prestigious Hawthorn Memorial Trophy.

Presented to the most successful British or Commonwealth driver in Formula One, the award has, in previous years, gone to the likes of Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve. It was first presented by the Hawthorn family in memory of Mike Hawthorn, who became Britain's first Formula One World Champion in 1958 but tragically died a year later.

It is the second year in a row that Jenson has been awarded the trophy, this year presented by the Right Honourable Peter Hain MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Wales, but Nigel Mansell holds the record for most appearances; his name appearing seven times on the stunning silverware.

"Having risen through the ranks of British motor sport, his career is a shining example of how young drivers can work their way through to reach the very top," said Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association. "He is a great ambassador for the sport and his country."