Queen to also honor Ross Brawn

UPDATE (GMM) Ross Brawn will be presented with an OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) by the Queen.

The 55-year-old's royal chivalry rank, confirmed with the publication of the New Year Honors list on Thursday, is in honor of his 30 years of service to motor sport, culminating in his eponymous team winning the 2009 world championship.

Ross Brawn

Brawn's British driver this year, the 2009 world champion Jenson Button, is to be made an MBE (Member of the British Empire); the same initial chivalry rank as awarded to Lewis Hamilton a year ago.

"This really is the crowning glory to what has been the most incredible year of my life," said the 29-year-old.

12/30/09 (GMM) Along with Jenson Button, Ross Brawn is also to be singled out by the Queen in her traditional New Year Honors list.

It emerged before Christmas that Button, the new F1 world champion, is to become a Member of the British Empire (MBE) — the initial chivalry class.

The Daily Telegraph now reports that Brawn, the eponymous boss of the Brackley based team that also won the constructors' world championship this year, will be similarly honored.

But the newspaper did not say if Brawn, 54, will also receive an MBE, or a higher honor, such as an OBE or a knighthood.