Jenson Button came into this season with just one win from 153 grands prix, yet even with the benefit of hindsight he admits he would not change a thing.

It is a surprising admission given the career he has endured over the years, one that heralded so much promise when he made his Formula One debut at the age of just 20.

"We have been given what we have been given, and that's the way it is," said Button, who holds a 26-point championship lead ahead of this Sunday's British Grand Prix.

Even he, looking back, surely could not have envisaged that after eight seasons he would only have one victory to his name, and that took 113 races to achieve. It has been a rocky road for Button, with far more downs than ups, but now, in many people's eyes, he is finally gaining his just reward for years of toil.

The sceptics talk about the fact Button and Brawn GP have turned this season into a procession in light of his stunning start of six wins from the opening seven grands prix.

But it is hard to begrudge Button his season in the sun, one that should yield the world title if the wheels do not fall off, literally and metaphorically.

So despite all his trials and tribulations, Button is more than happy to have trodden such a path and arrived at the destination now confronting him.

Button added: "Even though I've been through a lot of tough times in the past, I've always said I think the decisions I have made, or what I have had to deal with, I wouldn't change it as it makes you who you are.

"Now I have the opportunity to show and to achieve with a very good team and a very good car, and in a way it makes it very sweet for me.

"I have been in Formula One for nine years now, and I felt ready to win races. I now have the team that gives me the opportunity to fight for race victories almost every weekend we go to.

"I wouldn't change my career in the slightest, and I am sure Lewis wouldn't, but I will let him speak for himself."