A Brawn family reunion at Goodwood

Jenson Button and Ross Brawn reunited in the most evocative of settings this weekend at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting, as all three Brawn BGP 001 chassis came together for the first time –reviving memories of one of Formula 1’s most improbable championship stories.

At the heart of the scene was Button returning to the car that defined his 2009 title-winning season with Brawn’s remarkable creation, the Brawn GP team.

Set against the Goodwood’s historic backdrop, the “family” reunion carried a sense of nostalgia that went beyond racing – reaching into one of the sport’s great underdog triumphs.

The Brawn GP story remains legendary: born from Honda’s withdrawal in 2008 and Ross Brawn’s £1 acquisition of the team, it transformed into a championship-winning force in its only season.

With Button and Rubens Barrichello at the wheel, the team secured eight victories, 15 podiums, and both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles before being sold to Mercedes later in 2009.

Button summed up the emotion ahead of his return:

“I am excited to be making my Members’ Meeting debut,” he said. “And in no less special a car than the Brawn BGP 001.

“I last had a chance to drive it back in 2019, which was incredibly emotional and quite surreal. I cannot wait to experience that feeling all over again, and where better than Goodwood!”

As the car’s engine fired and history stirred once more, the moment felt less like a demonstration and more like time briefly folding back on itself.