And when you look at the other illustrious names on the trophy - all of whom have bar Derek Warwick won Grand Prix's - you wonder when we shall get a worthy recipient to get his name engraved on the trophy. Let's hope Hamilton or Paffett get a chance to play soon...

British Formula 1 star Jenson Button was today presented with the coveted Hawthorn Memorial Trophy. The Honda Racing F1 Team driver received the trophy from the   Rt Hon Peter Hain MP - Secretary of State for Wales and Northern Ireland - in advance of this afternoon'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.

Jenson won the award for the first time in 2004, ending a four year period of dominance by David Coulthard. In 2005, however, Button had to work harder to secure the award, narrowly beating Australian Mark Webber at the final race of the season. The outright record is held by Nigel Mansell; whose name appears seven times on the stunning piece of silverware.

"I am delighted that Jenson continues to lead the way for British drivers in Formula 1," commented Colin Hilton, Chief Executive of the Motor Sports Association. "His career is a great example to any young driver hoping to rise through the ranks of national motorsport to the pinnacle of international competition. The MSA remains committed to securing increased British representation at the highest level and we hope to make some interesting announcements to this effect before the end of the year."

Previous winners of the Hawthorn Memorial Trophy

1959     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1960     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1961     Stirling Moss (GB)

1962     Graham Hill (GB) *

1963     Jim Clark (GB) *

1964     John Surtees (GB) *

1965     Jim Clark (GB) *

1966     Jack Brabham (AUS) *

1967     Denny Hulme (NZ) *

1968     Graham Hill (GB) *

1969     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1970     Denny Hulme (NZ)

1971     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1972     Jackie Stewart (GB)

1973     Jackie Stewart (GB) *

1974     Denny Hulme (NZ)

1975     James Hunt (GB)

1976     James Hunt (GB) *

1977     James Hunt (GB)

1978     John Watson (GB)

1979     Alan Jones (AUS)

1980     Alan Jones (AUS) *

1981     A lan Jones (AUS)

1982     John Watson (GB)

1983     John Watson (GB)

1984     Derek Warwick (GB)

1985     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1986     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1987     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1988     Derek Warwick (GB)

1989     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1990     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1991     Nigel Mansell (GB)

1992     Nigel Mansell (GB) *

1993     Damon Hill (GB)

1994     Damon Hill (GB)

1995     Damon Hill (GB)

1996     Damon Hill (GB) *

1997     Jacques Villeneuve (CAN) *

1998     David Coulthard (GB)

1999     Eddie Irvine (GB)

2000     David Coulthard (GB)

2001     David Coulthard (GB)

2002     David Coulthard (GB)

2003     David Coulthard (GB)

2004     Jenson Button (GB)

2005     Jenson Button (GB)

* World Champion