Somerset had its own world champion last night as Jenson Button sealed the Formula 1 drivers’ championship with the race of his life at a dramatic Brazilian Grand Prix.

The Frome Flyer went from fifteenth on the grid to finish fifth in as stunning result in Sao Paulo.

He became the 10th British driver to claim motor sport’s greatest prize.

And as well as his fantastic victory it was also revealed that he could be given the freedom of his home town in Somerset in honour of his world championship F1 win.

Jenson, 29, known as a man of little emotion showed he had a big heart with his flamboyant celebration at the end of the race.

After pumping his fists in joy as crossed the line he ran around the drivers’ paddock with is arms in the air in front of jubilant team members and fans.

He embraced his father John Button under the paddock as champagne sprayed down from the winners’ podium.

As Jenson completed 71 remarkable laps at Interlagos he broke into a rendition of Queen’s We Are The Champions, before repeating the boast “We’re champions, we’re champions”.

With his voice cracking after the race Jenson shouted: “I’m world champion baby.”

He said: “It’s really amazing, especially after the last few races I’ve had. This one makes up for it.

“It was just such an awesome race.

“Twenty-one years ago I jumped in a car and I loved winning. I never expected to be world champion because you think racing drivers in Formula One are different to you but we’ve done it today.”

Button’s father, John, admitted the victory brought tears to his eyes.

He said: “I’m all washed out at the moment. I’ve got to accept where he is now, he goes down in history with all the other great names.

“I haven’t got my head round that yet.

“We had a big squeeze and we were crying in there and he was crying on the radio in the car, which is not my son at all because he’s a hard man obviously.”

Jenson described his win as “the most amazing day” and thanked his fans, his family and his girlfriend, Jessica Michibata.

He added: “The last few races have been a bit stressful for me, especially qualifying.

“I personally think that last drive was worth being World Champion.

“It was a great race, really enjoyable and for me that was the perfect way to do it.”

Mayor of Frome Damon Hooton said the council would decide how to celebrate Button’s achievements and honorary freedom of the town could be an option.

Mr Hooton said: “It was the drive of his life, a fantastic drive and he really deserves it.

“It is a marvellous time for him and his family and so many people in Frome have supported him all the way.

“He has put Frome on the map, he is the Frome Flyer and wherever he is talked about Frome is mentioned.

“He comes back to the town quite a lot to visit his family so everybody feels as if they know him, and he accepts that everyone wants to be his best mate.”

Mr Hooton said after the celebrations the council would sit down and decide how to honour Button.

“There will be recognition for what Jenson has done for sport and for Frome,” he said.

“We can give honorary freedom of the town but I wouldn’t want to pre-empt a committee decision.

“We’ll get the elation and the emotion over and done with and then consider what we can do for Jenson.”

He added: “We just hope he will be able to come back to Frome to celebrate with us.”

Celebrations at the Crown Hotel in Market Place, Frome were under way before Button crossed the finish line.

The pub, where Button is a regular, was adorned with good luck banners while customers packed inside to watch the race unfold on a big screen.

Manager of The Crown Hotel Tom Cheesman said: ‘‘Its been crazy here tonight, we’ve got banners and flags.

“Jenson really needed to win, he had a really good drive and pushed it really hard, which made me nervous.

“Jenson is very proud of coming from Frome and we are proud of him, we always support him here and I hope that everyone else in the town will do the same.”

F1 fan and Crown customer Wayne Blake, 41, said: “Every year we go to Goodwood and Silverstone and we have a banner saying Button’s Frome Army so he knows he has local support.

“It was electric in here tonight, we are over the moon, he is a true champion.

“It was looking doubtful as if it would go to the last race but we are so proud now.

“A lot of critics have written him off but he answered them tonight.

“We will welcome him back and there should be something to recognise him here, there was talk of a statue.”

Last night those who knew the young driver during his early years paid tribute to the zoom from Frome.

Jenson’s former driving instructor, Roger Brunt, has watched him progress over the years with a sense of pride, after all he was the man responsible for putting him on the roads.

Mr Brunt, who has been an instructor for more than 25 years, said it is fantastic that Jenson had at last realised his one dream – to be Formula One world champion.

Mr Brunt, from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, said: “I am over the moon and it’s brilliant that he has achieved the goal he has dreamed of for so many years.

“I will be speaking to his father, John, who I have known for more than 30 years to say a special congratulations.”

Mr Brunt said Jenson failed his test first time around in 1998 due to not negotiating a parked vehicle very well, but said it was lucky he has sorted this problem since beginning his Formula One journey.

The 63-year-old said: “He didn’t give enough space to another vehicle which was oncoming but he soon passed his test second time around, in between jetting off to Australia and other exotic locations to compete in go-karting competitions.

“All he ever talked about in his lessons was Formula One and driving for a top team – he’s come so far in 11 years, and I am extremely proud of him – well done Jenson.”

Bryan White, who is deputy head teacher of Selwood Middle School, said: “Jenson was a very popular and conscientious pupil.

“His quiet and extremely modest manner masked his true sporting potential and a determination to become a Formula One World Champion.

“I also feel he is an excellent role model for youngsters, particularly in the way he lives his life.

“Away from the track Jenson tried to be a normal person avoiding the trappings of celebrity status.

“I am sure everyone in Frome is very proud of him and would delighted to see a “Fromey” becoming a world champion.”

Jenson attended Vallis First School in the 1980s and the headteacher, Naomi Pauley, had this to say on behalf of the school.

She said: “We are all very pleased and proud that Jensen Button is an ex-pupil of Vallis First School.

“He is fondly remembered by all those who taught him and knew him.

“He was always a happy, friendly child and we understand he keeps in touch with all his old friends from his Frome days.

“His mother and father were very supportive, buying the school Christmas trees and helping in the school. “We all wish him well in the competition.

“If he has time, we would love him to visit.”

Selwood Middle School teacher, Elaine Kinnie, taught Jenson 20 years ago and gives her memories of what was like to teach him.

She said: “I taught Jenson Physical Education a long while ago.

“He was a quiet, well behaved, popular and hard working student.

“He always tried his best and was well liked by his peers.

“Even though he was very successful in the Go-carting world he was very quiet and unassuming and played down his successes.

“My favourite memory was a school assembly we had on the pupils hopes and dreams.

“I remember Jenson at 10 years old stood on the stage with his Go cart and in his racing gear.

“He proudly stood there and said: “One day I will be World F1 racing Champion.

“He had high expectations of himself but knew exactly what he hoped to achieve and wanted in the future.”

Michael Rhodes, who coordinates the Frome Community Lottery, something that Jenson Button supported when it began back in 2000.

Mr Rhodes said: “I am delighted at Jenson Button’s achievement.

“This really is some thing we, as the people of his home town, can celebrate and be proud of.

“We very much appreciated Jenson Button supporting the launch of the Frome Community Lottery in 2000. “Through this he has helped us to raise over £60,000 to date which has been invested in a wide range of community facilities in the Frome area.

“This investment will help other people to fulfil their potential in all sorts of different ways.”

Jenson is a patron of the Make a Wish Foundation, which is a charity that gives terminally ill children a day of their dreams.

Chief executive, Neil Jones, said: “Jenson has been a patron of Make-A-Wish for four years, we’re very proud of all his F1 achievements and immensely grateful for all his support of Make-A-Wish.

“Jenson has met many of our wish children and is always so generous with his time, he’s played a really big part in bringing magic into some of the most deserving young lives you can imagine.”