He'd told her to stay away so he could concentrate properly on his goal of becoming Britain's tenth F1 World Champion.

But after crossing the finish line in fifth place in Brazil - all he needed to clinch the title on points - Jenson Button's thoughts turned to his girlfriend Jessica Michibata.  

"I want to thank my family and Jessica. I love you, this is for you," he said.

His father was there though and was swept into an emotional embrace for his support. 

The sportsman is reportedly planning to miss a victory party so he can be reunited with the Japanese lingerie model.

There's plenty more reasons for him to celebrate too.

Acknowledging its new Formula One world champion, the Somerset town of Frome - where the driver was born in 1980 - has named a road Jenson Avenue.

"How cool is that?" muses the 29-year-old.

Photo: � Getty Images