The tears were a surprise to everyone who had become familiar with the bluff, calm face of Ross Brawn. This is a man who has achieved more in Formula One than arguably any other, but this was his greatest moment yet.

Brawn had won seven Formula One World Championships as a technical director with Michael Schumacher at Benetton and Ferrari and when he left the Scuderia to think through the rest of his life, he thought he might never lift a trophy again. But he is now responsible for one of the most astonishing stories in sport. When he rescued the Honda team at the end of last year and put his own name over the door, few thought the outfit at Brackley in Northamptonshire could survive, never mind prosper.

In his maiden season as team owner, he now has a world champion driver and a trophy as the world champion constructor — something that has never been achieved before. No wonder, then, that even Brawn cracked as the chequered flag was waved over Jenson Button.

Immediately after taking over, Brawn was faced with the most difficult decision of his racing life, axing a third of the workforce and his first thoughts were with them and the remaining Brackley workforce as he accepted the congratulations. “Everything was done over the winter to make this success,” he said. “I just have to thank everyone back in Brackley for what they did. I just wish that those who had to leave us had been able to share and enjoy this with us.”

Brawn, 54, had started his career with the Atomic Energy Research Laboratory but was soon drawn to motor racing. He worked at the March team before joining Williams as a machinist. His talent was soon recognised and he was fast-tracked through the ranks. He caught the eye of Jaguar and masterminded their 1991 World Sportscar Championship victory before being drawn back to Formula One.