Brawn streets ahead in Monaco (News Feature)

By Christian Hollmann May 25, 2009, 9:21 GMT

Monte Carlo - A successful tyre gamble at the start and a slight breach of protocol after the finish were the only noteworthy incidents in an uneventful Monaco Formula One Grand Prix.

Brawn GP drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello had supersoft tyres on the starting grid as they successfully held Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen at bay for another one-two finish on Sunday.

But Button then parked his car in the paddocks and not at the royal box as he had to jog to receive the trophy from Prince Albert.

'I thought they were directing me in (to parc ferme), so I went in with all the other cars, got out and had to make a spectacle of it, so I ran around and ran down the circuit,' said Button.

'It's amazing how much energy you've got when you cross the line first but it was a bit embarrassing.'

There was nothing embarrassing on the famous street course in the principality, though, as the Monte Carlo resident Button cruised to his fifth win in six season races which assures him of first place in the standings for his real home race, the British GP on June 21.

'I always love the British Grand Prix. It is obviously my proper home Grand Prix ... It's going to be a nice feeling and hopefully I'll put on a good show in front of the home crowd,' said Button.

Button leads the standings with 51 points from Barrichello (35) and German Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who is stranded on 23 after crashing out Sunday. Even a zero-point result in Turkey on June 7 would keep him in first place for the Silverstone home race.

Button cherished first place in Monaco which is arguably the most prestigious race of the year, and became the first Briton since Jackie Steward in 1973 to win from pole in the principality.

'It is very special winning here ... It is something you always dream about as a kid. You watch it on television and you think it is an amazing spectacle. But actually driving in it and winning it is just fantastic. I am very happy,' he said.

Team boss Ross Brawn named the early tyre strategy 'a close call' but the gamble paid off. It allowed Barrichello to pass Raikkonen for second place at the start and the Brazilian maintained this position even though graining tyres forced an earlier pit stop than planned.

Barrichello admitted to some light frustration as he yet again failed to win his first race since the Chinese GP in 2004, but he has not given up hope yet.

'I wish I had won some races but I'm looking at it differently this time. Of course Jenson is 16 points ahead but I have to cover as many points as possible while I'm not winning, so if I do start winning then it's a different matter,' he said.

However, the unbroken dominance of Button, who according to British daily The Independent 'never looked remotely like being challenged,' has only further established him as top title favourite.

But Button would have none of this: 'I don't know how you can say that after six races ... I am 16 points in the lead and I have more of an advantage than others to win the championship. But it is all to play for ... We will see what happens over the next few races.'

While McLaren suffered another nightmare with world champion Lewis Hamilton lapped again by Button to finish 12th and Heikki Kovalainen crashing out, Ferrari finally came alive with Raikkonen third and Felipe Massa fourth.

'The most important thing ... is the confirmation that our car is back to being competitive,' said team boss Stefano Domenicali.