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Hungary 2006: Button sheds monkey on day for ducks

Sunday, 6th August 2006

The common belief that the Hungarian Grand Prix and excitement couldn't go hand-in-hand was debunked as Jenson Button defied the odds and all the weather gods could throw at him to claim his maiden F1 victory.

Heidfeld duly moved up into BMW Sauber's first podium position, with Barrichello, Coulthard and Ralf all also shuffling up one spot. Behind the German - who, like DC, had been lapped - the feisty Kubica doubled his debut haul, heading a frustrated Massa home at the end of 70 tough laps.

All of which had taken the attention away from Button, who maintained a growing advantage at the front of the field and eventually came home some 30secs clear of second place. For once, the Honda hadn't let him down and Button's smooth style proved ideal for the tricky conditions, allowing him to nurse his tyres mid-race, while all the while pressing on to put pressure on the frontrunners. His reward was that long-awaited first victory and a chance to stick two fingers up at those who had lauded his arrival in F1, but then turned to decry his lack of achievement. The monkey had finally been banished.

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