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Suzuka - Jenson Button reduced his girlfriend to tears with a Japanese Grand Prix victory he hailed as one of the most special of his Formula 1 career.
Even if the McLaren driver's joy was eclipsed by the celebrations at Red Bull for Sebastian Vettel's second successive championship, his delight was obvious from the moment he crossed the line.
Parking his car at the end of the pitlane, in the wrong place, Button stood up in jubilation and then jogged back to the garages waving at the fans in the packed grandstand opposite.
LOTS OF EMOTION
In seven years as a Honda driver, Button had only once managed to appear on the podium at the Honda-owned circuit.
The 2011 race was made more emotionally charged by Button's involvement in fund-raising to help victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis that devastated a swathe of north-east Japan in March.
Button told Reuters: "It feels like a home win, and it's a very emotional win, not just for myself, but the whole team, and especially my close-knit little team of (trainer) Mikey (Collier), the old man (father John) and (girlfriend) Jessica (Michibata)"
"Obviously that's because of the connection with Japan through Jessica, who was bawling her eyes out after the race, so it was very difficult for me to stop myself from crying," said Button.
"But it was a very special race for all of us, and also because this circuit is just phenomenal, a work of art I would say," he added.
CROWD WAITED
In winning at Suzuka, Button denied Vettel his third successive Japanese GP win and followed in the footsteps of some of the giants in the sport... Ayrton Senna, his own compatriot Damon Hill, seven-times World champion Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen all won at Suzuka. The track has become one of the drivers' favourite circuits over the years.
"One of the most important things here is the crowd. They are so supportive," said Button, who was forced on to the grass at the start by Vettel but was able to joke about it afterwards. "I just went out there with the trophy and the grandstands were still full. Unbelievable. I had never seen anything like it. They are so passionate about their motor sport."
Even if the McLaren driver's joy was eclipsed by the celebrations at Red Bull for Sebastian Vettel's second successive championship, his delight was obvious from the moment he crossed the line.
Parking his car at the end of the pitlane, in the wrong place, Button stood up in jubilation and then jogged back to the garages waving at the fans in the packed grandstand opposite.
LOTS OF EMOTION
In seven years as a Honda driver, Button had only once managed to appear on the podium at the Honda-owned circuit.
The 2011 race was made more emotionally charged by Button's involvement in fund-raising to help victims of the earthquakes and tsunamis that devastated a swathe of north-east Japan in March.
Button told Reuters: "It feels like a home win, and it's a very emotional win, not just for myself, but the whole team, and especially my close-knit little team of (trainer) Mikey (Collier), the old man (father John) and (girlfriend) Jessica (Michibata)"
"Obviously that's because of the connection with Japan through Jessica, who was bawling her eyes out after the race, so it was very difficult for me to stop myself from crying," said Button.
"But it was a very special race for all of us, and also because this circuit is just phenomenal, a work of art I would say," he added.
CROWD WAITED
In winning at Suzuka, Button denied Vettel his third successive Japanese GP win and followed in the footsteps of some of the giants in the sport... Ayrton Senna, his own compatriot Damon Hill, seven-times World champion Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen all won at Suzuka. The track has become one of the drivers' favourite circuits over the years.
"One of the most important things here is the crowd. They are so supportive," said Button, who was forced on to the grass at the start by Vettel but was able to joke about it afterwards. "I just went out there with the trophy and the grandstands were still full. Unbelievable. I had never seen anything like it. They are so passionate about their motor sport."