The 29-year-old was recognised for his outstanding contribution to British sport after taking six grand prix victories and winning the 2009 Formula 1 world championship.

Jenson said: “I’m incredibly proud to have joined the likes of Mike Hawthorn, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Sir Jackie Stewart, James Hunt, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton as British Formula 1 world champion. But to be recognised by Her Majesty The Queen and the British people is a tremendous honour for me.

“This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life.

“The past 12 months have provided me with such an exhilarating journey. We literally started with nothing, but had the belief, determination and passion to take on the world and succeed. Everybody at Brawn GP played their part – and it was down to their expertise, dedication and hard work that we were able to achieve so much.

“Many people played a role in my world championship – and in receiving this award, I want to acknowledge and thank them for all their efforts.

“For 2010, I am starting another exciting chapter in my career – and I am already looking forward to representing Great Britain on the world’s sporting stage and successfully defending my world championship.”

This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life.

- Jenson Button

Ross Brawn will be presented with an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by the Queen. The 55-year-old’s rank, confirmed with the publication of the New Year Honours list on Thursday, is in honour of his 30 years of service to motor sport, culminating in his Brawn GP team winning both drivers’ and constructors’ world championships.

Brawn said, “I am surprised and delighted to receive the award.”

“Receiving this award is a great personal honour for me,” added Brawn, “However, it is only through the dedication and commitment of the many talented people I have worked with and the unstinting support of my family which have led to this award.

“I am very grateful to everyone involved and pleased that the achievements of everyone at Brawn have been recognised in this way.”

Britain’s Lewis Hamilton was awarded the same chivalry rank as Button in last year’s New Year’s Honours list.

Schumacher is reported to have signed a 7 million Euro contract for 2010, with the option to extend for a further two years depending on his performance.

BBC F1 reporter Ted Kravitz says seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher is returning to the track with Mercedes as “he felt his life was empty” without the sport, although he said that the ex-F1 champion won’t know that he is truly fit to race until he gets back in a Mercedes formula 1 car in January.

Schumacher said: “The motivation is pretty straightforward. I got a call from Ross (Brawn) at the beginning of November asking me to race again, telling me Mercedes were going to be involved.”

“I’ve never left the race track, and after three years I regained the energy I’m feeling now. After playing around on motorbikes, I’m ready for the serious stuff.”

Schumacher was due to substitute for Felipe Massa after the Brazilian driver was injured last summer, but a neck injury received during a motorbike test in Spain prevented his return.

He now insists this is no longer a problem.

“It is obviously a topic that I understand is questioned, and I want to understand,” Schumacher said. “Before I gave a final okay I made sure that I was sure myself, and I can say 100 per cent the neck is no further issue.

“Unfortunately it was too close to the accident in the summer when I tried for Ferrari, but the time now is enough to have healed completely. I can do everything I used to do, and no problem.”

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion said of the news “It’s great to have Michael back in Formula One,”

“He is a legend, a really nice guy, and I am happy for him he has again got an opportunity to do the best job in the world – race in Formula One… I used to watch Michael race when I was in the junior categories, and I always hoped I would be in Formula One while he was still around.”

“I’m now really looking forward to seeing him on the track and back at the top. It’s brilliant news, and I wish him my absolute best on his comeback with such a fine team and company as Mercedes-Benz.”

“I am really happy to be a part of the Silver Arrows re-launch in 2010 as a driver for Mercedes.” said Rosberg, “No other brand in Formula 1 can look back on such a long and successful tradition in motor racing. I am very proud that I will now drive for the new Mercedes team and work with Ross Brawn. I am more motivated than ever and can hardly wait to start testing with the new Silver Arrow and for the first race of the new season at Bahrain on 14 March 2010.”

Ross Brawn, Team Principal said, “We are delighted to welcome Nico Rosberg to our Mercedes team and are very much looking forward to working with him. Nico is a great talent, and with four years of experience in Formula 1, is a driver who will be able to make a valuable contribution to our team right from the outset. I had the pleasure of working with his father Keke during his Formula One career and it is great to see Nico following in his footsteps. 2009 was Nico’s best season in Formula 1 to date and we look forward to seeing his development continue with us at Mercedes next year.”

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher, 41, remains rumoured to take the second seat at Mercedes, although Ross Brawn continues to deny that the possibility even exists.

Germany’s Nick Heidfeld has also been linked to this second seat, although Mercedes’ Motorsport Chief Norbert Haug insists that drivers will not be chosen based on nationality since Mercedes is a global brand.

Powered by Mercedes-Benz Live will offer visitors the chance to meet Lewis Hamilton, his team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, double World Champion Mika Häkkinen, David Coulthard and Formula 1 team boss Ross Brawn. Formula 1 drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Anthony Davidson, as well as a host of Mercedes-Benz Touring car and Formula 3 drivers, will also be in attendance.

Remarkably the whole event, held at the legendary Brookland circuit – home of Mercedes-Benz World – will be open free to the public, so this promises to be a memorable day out for the whole family.

Highlights of the day include Lewis driving his MP4-23 – the car in which he memorably won the 2008 Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship. Ross Brawn will also be on hand to showcase his team’s groundbreaking Brawn Mercedes BGP 001, driven by Brawn GP test driver, Anthony Davidson.

The British DTM drivers Susie Stoddart, Jamie Green, Paul Di Resta and Gary Paffett will attend and demonstrate their 500hp V8 AMG Mercedes C-Classes pounding around the circuit at Mercedes-Benz World. Like all the drivers in attendance, they will sign autographs and spend as much time with fans as possible.

Formula 3 Euro Series hotshot Sam Bird returns to Brooklands to demonstrate his Dallara Mercedes, and in the coming weeks Mercedes promise that even more will be added to this already action-packed line-up.

Visitors will be able to register for hot laps in the Mercedes AMGs, and passenger rides at the Off-Road 4×4 centre, or enter the Blindfold Driving Challenge and a fun smart fortwo Egg & Spoon Challenge.

The event is on Sunday 8th November at Brookland, Surrey and if you’d like to attend you need to to register for free entry at www.mercedes-benzworld.co.uk.

Speaking to Mercedes PR Manager, Rob Halloway, he said “..the day itself is a great chance to get up close with these drivers, and the free of charge tickets mean that every guest is a VIP!”.

Sounds like a great way to conclude the motorsport year.

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Honda looks set to announce the sale of its Formula One team early on Friday morning, and the suggestion is that if no buyer is found, the team will close before the beginning of the 2009 season, leaving Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello without a drive in F1.

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