Jenson Button awarded Hawthorn Memorial Trophy

By Phil Huff
July 12 2005

Lucky Strike BAR Honda's Jenson Button was presented with the coveted Hawthorn Memorial Trophy in recognition of his outstanding performances in 2004.

The BAR Honda driver received the trophy from the Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP, Minister for Sports and Tourism, and Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association – the governing body of UK motor sport – in advance of this Sunday's Foster's British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

The Hawthorn Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the most successful British or Commonwealth driver in the FIA Formula One World Championship. 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.

David Coulthard has taken the trophy in five of the last six years, but Nigel Mansell holds the record; his name appearing seven times on the stunning silverware.

"Jenson was one of the stars of last season and is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this trophy," commented Hilton. "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. He is a great ambassador for the sport and his country."