Hamilton: "I Loaned Title to Button!"

Lewis Hamilton was one of the first persons to congratulate Jenson Button for keeping the Formula One title in the UK, but let his 29-year old compatriot know that the world crown is his only as a loan. That's how strong he believes his next season will be, as he previously told the media that the 2010 championship will be one of the most exciting in years.

“It's great for British sport at the moment. I would like to congratulate Jenson, but I'd like to say that he only has the title on loan,” said Hamilton after the Brazilian Grand Prix last weekend.

McLaren's Hamilton struggled for the majority of the season with the underperforming MP4-24 and was thrown out of the title fight shortly after the mid-season. However, the British driver did not finish the season win-less, as he scored 2 race wins on board of his KERS-powered car (his second career win in Hungary and a maiden victory in Singapore).

The last time the Formula One crown remained in Great Britain in back-to-back years was exactly 40 years ago, when Sir Jackie Stewart took over from Graham Hill as F1 champion. Following his world title in 1969, he won another 2 crowns in 1971 and 1971 to become the first ever British driver triple winner of the Formula One championship.

Whether Button will do the same thing in his remaining years in Formula One, we don't know. Things look pretty unstable heading to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, as the Brit's place at Brackley in 2010 is still under scrutiny. Not by his team, obviously, but by himself, as the 29-year old Brit is seeking more money to continue his career at Brackley.