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          McLaren builds Jenson Button a pub for 300th race

          • The Pits
          Sep 30, 2016, 12:14 PM

          Jenson Button celebrated his 300th grand prix start with a few racing mates and a beer on Friday evening at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

          The British driver will notch up his 300th start on Sunday and McLaren marked the occasion by turning its hospitality unit into a fairly convincing replica of an English pub. Celebrations got started at The Dog and Button at 17:30 as the drivers returned from their Friday briefing for a swift half and a game of darts.

          Most of the paddock popped by at some point to congratulate Button on his milestone race, including ex-teammate Lewis Hamilton and championship leader Nico Rosberg.

          The walls of the Dog and Button were adorned with pub wallpaper and pictures from Button's career, including his championship victory with Brawn GP in 2009. A wooden bar served drinks from the "Button Brewery", including "Ol' Brawny", "Somerset Scrumper" and "300" (all with matching beer mats). Traditional pub snacks such as roasted peanuts and Scampi Fries were also on offer.

          This is likely to be Button's last season in Formula One as he prepares to take a sabbatical next year. Stoffel Vandoorne will replace him at McLaren as Fernando Alonso's teammate as Button takes on an ambassadorial role.