Jenson Button has encouraged Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli to examine his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix. Button’s win, achieved 20 years ago on August 6, 2006, is described by the 2009 world champion as a race that ‘had everything’.
Antonelli, currently a Mercedes driver, has established a significant presence in the 2026 Formula 1 season. He holds six race wins, six pole positions, nine fastest laps, and eleven podium finishes as of the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix.
The Italian driver became the youngest polesitter in F1 history at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, aged 19 years and approximately six months. He also became the second youngest race winner and the youngest championship leader in F1 history during the current season.
Antonelli has secured five consecutive Grand Prix victories this season, including wins in China, Japan, and Miami. His performance has resulted in a 43-point lead over teammate George Russell in the World Championship standings after five rounds.
Button’s 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix victory was his first in 113 Grand Prix starts. He began the race from 14th position on the grid after an engine change incurred a ten-place penalty, despite qualifying fourth.
The race at the Hungaroring was notable for being the first wet Hungarian Grand Prix. Button, driving for the Honda Racing F1 Team, navigated the damp conditions, which saw a mix of slick, intermediate, and wet tyres in use.
Several incidents occurred during the 2006 event. Giancarlo Fisichella spun his Renault, and Felipe Massa experienced a similar issue in his Ferrari. Kimi Raikkonen, then with McLaren-Mercedes, retired after colliding with Vitantonio Liuzzi’s Toro Rosso while attempting to lap him.
Fernando Alonso, who had been leading for Renault, retired from the race due to a loose wheel nut after a pit stop. This incident elevated Button into the lead of the Grand Prix.
Button ultimately crossed the finish line 30.837 seconds ahead of Pedro de la Rosa, who secured his only F1 podium finish in second place for McLaren-Mercedes. Nick Heidfeld completed the podium in third for BMW Sauber, marking their first podium.
The victory was also significant for Honda, marking their first win as a works team since the 1967 Italian Grand Prix. The Honda Racing F1 Team, which competed with the RA106 car and RA806E V8 engine, had been formed in 2006 after Honda acquired the BAR team.
The team’s base in Brackley, England, later transitioned through Brawn GP before becoming the Mercedes factory team. Andrew Shovlin, currently Mercedes’ Trackside Engineering Director, was part of the Honda pit wall team during Button’s 2006 win.
‘I actually crossed the finish line more than 30 seconds ahead… even Kimi Antonelli hasn’t managed that this season! Although he seems to be breaking just about every other record in front of him,’ Button stated in ‘Jenson’s Journal’ for Aston Martin.
Button concluded his remarks by advising Antonelli to watch the highlights of the 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix, emphasizing its comprehensive nature.
