Grapevine: Button gives up 11 for Barrichello
Jenson Button has offered to sacrifice his claim on the lead entry number in the BAR-Honda team in deference to new teammate Rubens Barrichello
The allocated driver numbers for the team, 11 and 12, reflect the team's position in this year's Constructors' Championship. Button was at liberty to continue with the lead number for 2006, but the Briton has decided to offer it to Barrichello.
Barrichello scored his first race win as the number 11 driver, he won all his karting titles as number 11 and also took his first victory in the Formula Ford championship sporting that number.
"I have no particular affinity with any number - other than 1 of course, which I hope to race with enormous pride when I achieve my goal of winning the World Championship," said Button.
"In the meantime, I know how special the number 11 has been to Rubens in his past career and I thought it would be nice to make the gesture.
"We'll have plenty to be competing for on-track next season. We're good friends already and we're both looking forward to being teammates. I just hope number 11 isn't too lucky for Rubens next year!"
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