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Jenson Button kisses Brawn GP Formula One team principal Ross Brawn - Source: Reuters -
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Formula One champion Jenson Button will be made a Member of the British Empire in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours List for services to motor racing.
The Briton won six of the first seven races to claim the 2009 title for Brawn GP after Ross Brawn had resurrected the team following Honda's withdrawal from F1 for financial reasons in March just before the season began.
"This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life," Button 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 One world champion.
"But to be recognised by Her Majesty The Queen and the British people is a tremendous honour for me."
Brawn will also receive the Order of the British Empire after leading Brawn GP to the constructor's championship.
British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan will be knighted following a successful rugby union career as a player and coach.
In 2009, the Scot coached the Lions in South Africa. Despite losing the series 2-1, the third Test victory was the Lions' first since 2001.
"Rugby has been a huge part of my life for over 40 years," McGeechan said. "And to have achieved everything I have with Scotland, in club rugby and with the Lions has been an immensely rewarding and enjoyable experience.
"At the moment I am enjoying a rest from coaching and enjoying more time with my family, but my passion for rugby and for sporting excellence remains undimmed."
The tour was McGeechan's seventh as either a Lions player or coach. He played in all four Tests in both the victorious 1974 tour to South Africa and the 1977 tour of New Zealand.
As coach, he won two Test series - against Australia in 1989 and South Africa in 1997 - but lost 2-1 in 1993 to New Zealand.
In 1990, McGeechan guided Scotland to a Five Nations Grand Slam. In 2007, he coached Wasps to the European Cup title.
