Button no longer the nearly-man

Never again will the Briton have to endure endless questions about all those starts without success, about whether perhaps the hype outweighs the hope and whether he really has what it takes.

The doubts were laid to rest in Hungary on Sunday, as the 26-year-old raced through the rain - from 14th place on the starting grid - to join the likes of Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso in the Formula One winners' circle at last.

After 113 starts, the Honda driver stepped up to the top of the podium at the same circuit that witnessed championship-winning compatriot Damon Hill's first win in 1993 and Nigel Mansell's title the previous year.

Only Italian Jarno Trulli (with 117 starts) and Button's Brazilian teammate Rubens Barrichello (124) had gone longer before their first victories.

The monkey was truly off the Briton's back and, soaked in champagne, the first Briton to win a Grand Prix in more than three years lapped up the applause.

"It's an amazing feeling. Those last 10 laps, when I was leading with a 40 second lead, were the best laps of my career. Just to sit there and relax, and know I didn't have to push too hard. I could let it sink in.

"It was really enjoyable. To come from 14th and win a race here, in these conditions, is the perfect way to win your first race," he said.

"It's great to get that first win after so long. It's obviously a great feeling for myself and the team but its good that I won't have to do those interviews any more where they say 'You've done 113 Grand Prix and you haven't had a win.'"

"It takes a weight off my shoulders, because I do read the interviews now and again."

For much of the year, after the false dawn of pre-season testing, Button has been telling all who will listen that Honda have a long way to go before they can win in a championship dominated by Renault and Ferrari.

So much so, he grew a beard and vowed not to shave it until he had won.

"I didn't think I would win a race this soon," he admitted. "I like it (the beard) but I think I'm going to have to shave it now. It's a bit hippy."

Hungary, the first wet race in years, ripped up the form book with world champion Alonso and title rival Schumacher both retiring while McLaren's pole-sitter Kimi Raikkonen crashed out.

Button, carving his way through the field with real determination, made the most if it by picking off a competitor every lap.

His father John, swathed in a Union Jack and with a cigar clenched between his teeth, walked around in a beatific daze.

"It hasn't really sunk in yet, just incredible," he said. "And what a great race as well. Just amazing. He's always good in slippery conditions and the rain but he was just devastating out there," he said. "It's unbelievable.

"It's gone, done, dusted and finished," he said of the endless waiting for a win.

"People were saying he's got to get the monkey off his back. Well, he didn't have a monkey on his back. It was everybody else who had it on their back."

While Button senior could look forward to the party of his life in Budapest on Sunday night, his son's immediate reward was a long flight to Shanghai for a four-day PR trip before a Mediterranean holiday.

"I think the old boy will enjoy himself this evening," the driver said enviously. "I could see on his face while I was on the podium - he's staying."