Formula 1's Jenson Button marries Jessica Michibata

Jenson Button, who won the 2009 Formula 1 world championship with Brawn, has been in a relationship with Jessica Michibata since 2008

Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has married long-term partner Jessica Michibata, he has confirmed on Twitter.

Button, 34, confirmed the news after newspaper speculation that the pair had married in Maui, Hawaii.

The driver, from Frome, Somerset, wrote: "Happy New Year from Mr & Mrs Button!! We're excited to see in the New year with family and loved ones."

He and Ms Michibata, a lingerie model, have been in a relationship since 2008.

Their marriage comes after McLaren announced in December they were retaining the 2009 world champion alongside new signing Fernando Alonso for the 2015 season.

Button is part of McLaren's 2015 line-up, alongside new signing Fernando Alonso

The Surrey-based team had taken weeks to decide whether to keep Button or his 2014 team-mate Kevin Magnussen, 22.

Button, who will contest his 16th season in Formula 1 this year, has won 15 races and scored 50 podiums from 268 starts.

His father, John, a former rallycross driver, died last January at his home on the French Riviera.