Belgian GP: Button Survives Carnage To Win

Jenson Button put his pole position to great use to get ahead of the lap one carnage and storm to his first Spa win ahead of Sebastian Vettel

The 44-lap grand prix started with a bang as Romain Grosjean cut across the track and into Lewis Hamilton, catching the McLaren side-on.

The ensuing accident caught out Fernando Alonso, who had the Lotus chassis narrowly miss his head after it was launched into the air when it hit Sergio Perez's Sauber. Kamui Kobayashi, Pastor Maldonado - who was under investigation for jumping the start and later retired - and Pedro de la Rosa all pitted for repairs.

The race resumed on lap 6 after the marshals cleared the debris at the La Source hairpin with Button quickly pulling out a lead, first over Kimi Raikkonen, then Nico Hulkenberg, then Michael Schumacher and then Sebastian Vettel.

As the laps counted down the McLaren driver put in a faultless performance, pitting on lap 20 with a gap big enough to see him emerge back at the front.

The second half of the grand prix begun with Raikkonen leading the charge for second. He was 15.7s behind Button when he came in for his second stop, elevating Vettel to second with Schumacher third. Vettel set about trying to haul Button back but was unable to prevent the McLaren driver from claiming his second win of the season and the much-needed 25 points.

Raikkonen took third place after an incredible overtaking move on Schumacher through Eau Rouge. The German pitting shortly after when it became apparent his W03 could not complete the grand prix on one stop.

Hulkenberg was fourth ahead of Felipe Massa, Mark Webber and Schumacher.

The race ended with three investigations on the go; Caterham for an unsafe release and hitting HRT in the pits; Schumacher and Vettel for another unsafe move when the former pitted and Webber for an unsafe release that almost put him into Massa in the pits.

Results
01 Button McLaren-Mercedes 1h29:08.530
02 Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 13.624
03 Raikkonen Lotus-Renault + 25.334
04 Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes + 27.843
05 Massa Ferrari + 29.845
06 Webber Red Bull-Renault + 31.244
07 Schumacher Mercedes + 53.374
08 Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 58.865
09 Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:02.982
10 Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1:03.783
11 Rosberg Mercedes + 1:05.111
12 Senna Williams-Renault + 1:11.529
13 Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:56.119
14 Petrov Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
15 Glock Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
16 Pic Marussia-Cosworth + 1 lap
17 Kovalainen Caterham-Renault + 1 lap
18 De la Rosa HRT-Cosworth + 1 lap
19 Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth + 30
20 Maldonado Williams-Renault + 5
21 Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 1
22 Alonso Ferrari + 1
23 Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 1
24 Grosjean Lotus-Renault + 1

Source: Planet-F1

Qualifying: Button Bags First McLaren Pole at Spa

Jenson Button claimed his first pole position since his 2009 Championship-winning season, taking the coveted grid slot at Spa

Qualifying has often been Button's Achiles this season, however, after a few changes to his rear wing in Q2 there was no sign of that as the Brit crossed the line with a 1:47.573.

That was quick enough for his first pole position since as a McLaren driver.

In an interesting grid with Kamui Kobayashi making history as he secured his first front row starting position and the first ever for a Japanese driver as he was 0.298s off the pace

Pastor Maldonado was third ahead of Kimi Raikkonen while Sergio Perez completed a great Saturday for Sauber with a P5 ahead of Fernando Alonso.

Mark Webber, who qualified P7, will line-up 12th after a gearbox penalty.

Meanwhile, last year's Belgian GP winner Sebastian Vettel failed to make it into Q3 for only the second time this season, qualifying down in 11th place.

But it was Nico Rosberg, who will also have a five place gearbox penalty, who was the biggest loser, qualifying down in 18th place after crossing the line mere seconds too late to start another lap.

Times
01. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1m47.573
02. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1m47.871 + 0.298
03. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1m47.893 + 0.320
04. Kimi Raikkonen Lotus-Renault 1m48.205 + 0.632
05. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1m48.219 + 0.646
06. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1m48.313 + 0.740
07. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1m48.392 + 0.819
08. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1m48.394 + 0.821
09. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1m48.538 + 0.965
10. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1m48.890 + 1.317
11. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1m49.722 + 0.472
12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1m49.362 + 0.112
13. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1m49.742 + 0.492
14. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1m49.588 + 0.338
15. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m49.763 + 0.513
16. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1m49.572 + 0.322
17. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1m49.958 + 0.708
18. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1m50.181 + 1.188
19. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1m51.739 + 2.746
20. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1m51.967 + 2.974
21. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1m52.336 + 3.343
22. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth 1m53.030 + 4.037
23. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1m53.493 + 4.500
24. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth 1m54.989 + 5.996

Source: Planet-F1

Practice Two: Button tops rain-interrupted session

Jenson Button set the pace in Thursday's second practice session in Monaco before the rain came down and the lap times dropped dramatically

With rain on the horizon, the drivers were quickly out on track to get in as much dry running as possible.

Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez set the early pace, trading blows before Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton overhauled the Sauber pairing. Their reign was short-lived as Jenson Button took the P1 slot with a 1:17.095.

Button was dropped by Fernando Alonso, who in turn lost out to Pastor Maldonado only for the Spaniard to come back at him and retake the P1 slot.

Button ventured out again, this time on the super soft Pirellis, taking the P1 slot with a 1:15.746 while Romain Grosjean climbed to second place.

And then the rain came, not heavy at first but enough for race control to declare the track wet. Moments later, though, it did intensify.

With the rain lessening after 20 minutes the drivers ventured back out only to pit a few minutes later as the second shower hit. The silence was broken by the Toro Rosso drivers with several others opting to head out as well. They were, however, on average 20s a lap down on the leading dry times.

Surprisingly, other than the two Williams, Perez, Felipe Massa and Heikki Kovalainen heading up the escape road at Mirabeau, there were no other issues to report despite the greasy track surface.

Mark Webber was quickest on the wet track with a 1:31.777 although others did go a bit faster in the final few minutes when a dry line started to appear.

The session ended with Button, Grosjean and Massa in the top three positions and more rain forecast for Saturday's qualifying.

Times

1 Jenson Button McLaren 1:15.746 17 laps
2 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:16.138 0.392 19 laps
3 Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:16.602 0.856 21 laps
4 Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:16.661 0.915 23 laps
5 Pastor Maldonado Williams 1:16.820 1.074 20 laps
6 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:17.021 1.275 15 laps
7 Mark Webber Red Bull 1:17.148 1.402 23 laps
8 Kamui Kobayashi Sauber 1:17.153 1.407 22 laps
9 Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:17.293 1.547 11 laps
10 Sebastian Vettel Red Bull 1:17.303 1.557 21 laps
11 Lewis Hamilton McLaren 1:17.375 1.629 19 laps
12 Paul di Resta Force India 1:17.395 1.649 21 laps
13 Bruno Senna Williams 1:17.655 1.909 18 laps
14 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:17.800 2.054 25 laps
15 Sergio Perez Sauber 1:18.251 2.505 24 laps
16 Vitaly Petrov Caterham 1:18.440 2.694 24 laps
17 Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso 1:18.522 2.776 22 laps
18 Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso 1:18.808 3.062 26 laps
19 Kimi Raikkonen Lotus 1:19.267 3.521 25 laps
20 Timo Glock Marussia 1:19.309 3.563 29 laps
21 Heikki Kovalainen Caterham 1:20.029 4.283 13 laps
22 Charles Pic Marussia 1:20.240 4.494 20 laps
23 Pedro de la Rosa HRT 1:20.631 4.885 12 laps
24 Narain Karthikeyan HRT 1:20.886 5.140 10 laps

Source: Planet-F1

Button: You always want to be first, but Lewis had upper hand

McLaren's Jenson Button has conceded that team-mate Lewis Hamilton had the upper hand today in qualifying for the Australian GP and that his best just 'wasn't quite enough'.

Button will start the opening round in the 2012 F1 World Championship from second on the grid, having been just 0.152 seconds slower in the sister Mercedes-powered car.

Despite that though, he was still happy with the MP4-27 and the Englishman paid tribute to the job done by McLaren over the winter.

“Lewis nailed a great lap in Q3,” Button commented after Q3, “but I think the whole team is really happy to have both cars on the front row – it's been a long time coming to have the two of us there together. You always want to be first, but I couldn't quite do that today. We were so close through all the qualifying sessions but Lewis had the upper hand [in the end]. I tried my best but it wasn't quite enough.

“Nevertheless, I think we both want to thank the team – it's a big vindication of how far we've come this winter.

“And that's been crucial: having a good winter can really make the difference. We still don't know exactly how strong our car will be in the race, but yesterday it appeared to be consistent and looked after the tyres during the stint.

“Tomorrow will be about getting the tyres to the right working temperature and looking after them across the stint.

“Tomorrow is the important day, and today is about making life easier for tomorrow.”

Source: Crash.net

Practice One: First blood to Button

Jenson Button got McLaren's season off to the perfect start as he led a 1-2 at a damp Albert Park circuit on Friday

The 2012 season received the green light at noon on Friday with the track declared wet after a few showers earlier in the day.

This, though, did little to dampen spirits as a massive crowd was present for the opening day of the season.

Button took the honours with a 1:27.560, dethroning Mercedes's Michael Schumacher late in the session.

His team-mate Lewis Hamilton followed suit minutes later as, in the dying seconds of practice, he climbed to second place just 0.245s off the pace.

The McLaren duo relegated Schumacher to third, 0.675s off the pace.

Fernando Alonso, who had a near miss as the chequered flag fall when he went into a slide through the final corner almost hitting the pit wall, was fourth quickest ahead of Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg.

It was a solid start to the season for Toro Rosso and Williams with Daniel Ricciardo and Pastor Maldonado seventh and eighth while Kimi Raikkonen was ninth.

However, the Lotus F1 racer had a very slow start to his season as he was stuck in the pits for most of the session with a steering column problem. He managed just eight laps.

Kamui Kobayashi completed the top ten ahead of reigning World Champ Sebastian Vettel.

It was a disappointing start to the season for Felipe Massa, who lost control of his F2012 under braking for Turn 9, beaching his car in the gravel.

But it was an even worse start for HRT who were not able to get Pedro de la Rosa out onto the track at all while Narain Karthikeyan's practice ended after three laps with an engine problem.

Times
01. Jenson Button McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.560 11 laps
02. Lewis Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes 1:27.805 + 0.245 14 laps
03. Michael Schumacher Mercedes 1:28.235 + 0.675 17 laps
04. Fernando Alonso Ferrari 1:28.360 + 0.800 21 laps
05. Mark Webber Red Bull-Renault 1:28.467 + 0.907 21 laps
06. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:28.683 + 1.123 22 laps
07. Daniel Ricciardo Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:28.908 + 1.348 23 laps
08. Pastor Maldonado Williams-Renault 1:29.415 + 1.855 16 laps
09. Kimi Räikkönen Lotus-Renault 1:29.565 + 2.005 8 laps
10. Kamui Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari 1:29.722 + 2.162 26 laps
11. Sebastian Vettel Red Bull-Renault 1:29.790 + 2.230 21 laps
12. Nico Hulkenberg Force India-Mercedes 1:29.865 + 2.305 17 laps
13. Paul di Resta Force India-Mercedes 1:29.881 + 2.321 18 laps
14. Bruno Senna Williams-Renault 1:29.953 + 2.393 21 laps
15. Sergio Perez Sauber-Ferrari 1:30.124 + 2.564 22 laps
16. Romain Grosjean Lotus-Renault 1:30.515 + 2.955 16 laps
17. Heikki Kovalainen Caterham-Renault 1:30.586 + 3.026 16 laps
18. Felipe Massa Ferrari 1:30.743 + 3.183 11 laps
19. Jean-Eric Vergne Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:31.178 + 3.618 17 laps
20. Vitaly Petrov Caterham-Renault 1:31.983 + 4.423 8 laps
21. Timo Glock Marussia-Cosworth 1:34.730 + 7.170 8 laps
22. Charles Pic Marussia-Cosworth 1:40.256 + 12.696 11 laps
23. Narain Karthikeyan HRT-Cosworth no time 3 laps
24. Pedro de la Rosa HRT-Cosworth no time

Source: Planet-F1

McLaren team reveal new car for 2012 Formula 1 season

McLaren have unveiled the car Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button hope will win one of them the drivers' title

Hamilton described the MP4-27, unveiled at the team's Surrey base, as "the finest-looking car we've had for some time".

The car features a notably tightly packaged rear end, after the fashion of the Red Bull that has dominated Formula 1 for the last two seasons.

"We're excited. I'm sure every team is a little apprehensive," Button said.

Among other notable features, the car does not have the platypus-style nose that is expected to feature on many designs this year as a result of a change in the rules requiring a lower nose height.

Lewis Hamilton won the drivers' world title in a McLaren in 2008, with Jenson Button winning the championship in a Brawn a year later.

But Red Bull have won the last two constructors' championship, with Sebastian Vettel securing the drivers' title in both seasons .

McLaren have not won the constructors' title since 1998.

Button added: "This is a beautiful car - many you will see will not be.

"There are some good rule changes giving the engineers and aerodynamicists something to really think about.

"Everyone seems positive, we will see how it is when we get out on to the track."

McLaren have also abandoned the distinctive L-shaped sidepods that distinguished the 2011 car, reverting to a more conventional shape.

Hamilton said: "The back of the car is much neater, it's much tighter. The focus was on getting it as tight as possible for aerodynamics.

"It's about dropping drag and we have tried to get as much downforce back as possible with the banning of the blown diffuser [where teams directed exhaust gases along the rear floor of the car even when the driver was off the throttle]."

He said that the rule change had made an obvious difference to the way the car feels, having already driven it in the team's simulator.

Hamilton added: "It's a lot trickier to drive now than it was but I'm sure, as we get into the season, we'll get that back."

Both men said they were looking forward to the challenge of the new season, which features six world champions for the first time in F1 history.

Kimi Raikkonen has returned to F1 with the Lotus team after two years in rallying, to join fellow champions Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton and Button.

"We love to have the competition and we love to have the great drivers out there," Hamilton said. "We hope there are no world champions added to [the list].

"It's great for the fans and the sport and hopefully we'll be able to put on a good show. We do have a good looking car and, when a car looks good, it generally is good."

Asked who the drivers expected McLaren's main competition to be, Button said: "The Red Bulls will be strong, they're not going to suddenly build a bad car after winning the championship for the last two years.

"Do we know where we stand? No, but the important thing is we focus on our own work in testing and in Melbourne we will find out where we are compared to our competitors."

Hamilton added: "Last year we were the team closest to the Red Bulls, that's comforting, and we improved a lot too. If we can start the season better than last year then we will put good building blocks down.

"We have the fastest rate of development, so that should give us a strong position to start the season."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "It will be close, it's a massively competitive championship. No-one in my view is going to run away with it.

"We don't like losing, coming second in the last two years has been frustrating.

"We want to win races and world championships. We have two great racing drivers, everyone can see the chemistry between them but they want to beat each other.

"There are some very strong competitors out there but we are feeling at the moment as if we are in a good place and we're looking forward to getting to Melbourne and competing for championships."

Source: BBC Sports

Video: BBC - Abu Dhabi GP - Balance an issue for Jenson Button in Abu Dhabi

Jenson Button admits he is struggling to find the right balance in his McLaren, despite putting in an impressive drive to qualify third for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 31-year-old Englishman looked good for his first pole position of the season, but his team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel pipped him to second and first respectively



Source: SixtyBuckss

Button dedicates result to Dan and Marco

Jenson Button admits it was "very difficult" racing in India on Sunday with Dan Wheldon and Marco Simoncelli in his thoughts

The Brit, who finished second in the inaugural Indian Grand Prix, joined his fellow drivers in honouring the duo, both of whom lost their lives earlier this month in racing accidents, with a minute's silence.

"We've had two fatalities and it's very difficult," Button said.

"I knew Dan from a young age - so I think we should dedicate this first Indian race to Dan and to Marco, who was the most amazing man to watch on a bike."

As for his race, Button lamented the fact that his McLaren just didn't have the pace needed to challenge Sebastian Vettel for the victory.

However, on the up side, he made up two positions at the start when overtook first Fernando Alonso and then Mark Webber. And despite the latter's attempts to retake the position, Button was able to hold him at bay.

"The start off the line didn't feel that good but I was able to get Fernando into Turn One.

"I think he went a bit deep and I was in Mark's tow. He covered the inside but I had enough room to go around the outside.

"I had Mark behind me for eight laps pushing me really, really hard - we both almost ran wide - but I was able to pull away as I think he had damaged his tyres a little bit.

"The pace isn't quite there but hopefully in the last races we can take that little step."

Source: Planet-F1

Hamilton and Button lead Wheldon tributes

Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button have led the tributes to British IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon, who was killed in the Las Vegas 300 on Sunday.

Wheldon died from injuries sustained in a 15 car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, just hours after Sebastian Vettel had won the Korean Grand Prix. Many of the British drivers had either raced against Wheldon or closely followed his progress as he took a career path in the United States, and Hamilton described him as "inspirational".

"This is an extremely sad day," Hamilton said. "Dan was a racer I'd followed throughout my career, as I often followed in his footsteps as we climbed the motorsport ladder in the UK. He was an extremely talented driver. As a British guy, who not only went over to the States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy, and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration.

"This is a tragic loss at such a young age. My heart goes out to his family and friends during this extremely difficult time."

Button, who used to race against Wheldon in his early career, used Twitter to express his feelings.

"Just woken up to the most horrific news. Dan Wheldon RIP," Button wrote. "I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90's, a true fighter. We've lost a legend in our sport but also a great guy. I can't begin to imagine what his family are going through and my thoughts are with them at this very difficult time."

With the Formula One paddock travelling from the Korean Grand Prix at the time of the incident, many other drivers used Twitter to give their thoughts, with Rubens Barrichello saying: "Just got out from the plane and got the terrible news about the death of our friend Dan Wheldon... Will always remember the great times we had at karting in Brazil my friend. Rest in peace."

Mark Webber added: ""Rest in Peace Dan. I remember our early days in the UK 95/96. Miss ya."

Martin Whitmarsh said Wheldon's death highlighted "the bitter contrast that sometimes exists between the highs and lows of motorsport.

"His rapid ascent to the very top ranks of US motorsport, capped by two fantastic Indy 500 victories and the 2005 Indy Car title, are the lasting legacy of a hugely talented driver and champion. The motorsport world is now in mourning following Dan's passing. On behalf of everyone at Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, I pass on my condolences to his family and friends."

Source: ESPNF1

Button: Two team fight for the win

Jenson Button reckons Sunday's Korean GP will be a battle between McLaren and Red Bull for the race victory

The two teams occupy the front two rows of the grid with Lewis Hamilton on pole ahead of Sebastian Vettel, Button and Mark Webber.

Button was booted off the front row, which would have been McLaren's first lock-out of the season, by 0.084s.

"As a team and in terms of the car, I think we are in a great place right now," Button told Autosport.

"I really don't know how the race is going to go tomorrow but you would think it would be between us and the Red Bulls. I don't think Ferrari is that far behind in terms of consistency over one lap they don't have the pace in race consistency.

"It is a great way to end the season, as a team we are obviously disappointed we could not get this performance earlier in the year, but it can only be good for next year.

"Obviously there are rule changes but having a good base for this year going into 2012 is something we really need."

As for the key to success in Sunday's grand prix, Button summed it up rather well: "Being quick! That is something we have been good at in the last few races in terms of consistency."

However, the McLaren driver does admit that tyres will be crucial factor in Sunday's 55-lap race as many are expecting a high-wear rate with the Pirellis.

"We know the tyres have a short life here and if you can make any difference by looking after them is a little bit unknown tomorrow. We will see, but I think everyone is looking forward to tomorrow, it should be a lot of fun.

"We are finding our feet on high fuel, seeing how it feels and acts.

"Today was a reasonably good day for me, obviously thought we could fight for first but Lewis was too quick today but all in all a pretty good day and looks good for tomorrow."

Source: Planet-F1

Video: BBC - Korean GP - Korean Final practice session crucial - Button

Despite heavy rain in a frustrating practice session, McLaren's Jensen Button is confident his team will be able to challenge Red Bull in qualifying for the Korean Grand Prix on Saturday.

With better weather now forecast for the rest of the weekend, the former world champion has pinpointed the final practice session on Saturday as crucial in determining race and qualifying plans



Source: SixtyBuckss

Button Wins Japanese GP, Seb The Title

Jenson Button may have clinched Japanese GP victory, however, he could do nothing to stop Sebastian Vettel from claiming the World title

Starting first and second on the grid with Vettel ahead of the McLaren driver, the German did all he could to stop Button from taking the lead - even pushing him onto the grass. But with the Red Bull running out of tyres faster than the rest of the field Button found his way past in the pit-stops.

It was another thrilling race with a resurgent Fernando Alonso taking second place, Michael Schumacher surviving a hefty impact from Mark Webber's front wing and going on to become the oldest driver to lead an F1 GP. Plus there was the inevitable coming together of Massa and Hamilton.

Race Report
It was a bright sunny autumnal day at Suzuka with an ambient tempretaure of 24C and the trac at 35C.

Six Rows of Grid : 1.Vettel, 2.Button, 3.Hamilton, 4.Massa, 5.Alonso, 6.Webber, 7.Kobayashi, 8.Schumacher, 9.Petrov, 10.Senna, 11.Sutil, 12.DiResta

Start: It was a clean get-away for the grid (unlike 2010) with Jenson Button getting a great start from P2. Vettel thought he had a good start too but still veered across to the right and pushed Jenson Button to the inside.

Button had his front tyre tucked inside Vettel's rear and the Red Bull kept on coming, pushing the McLaren onto the grass. Button slowed and dropped in behind Vettel but this allowed Lewis Hamilton to move up to P2. Behind, the Ferraris slotted in in grid order.

Big loser from the start was Kamui Kobayashi who was starting from his best ever gridslot, P7. The anti-stall kicked in for the Japanese Sauber driver and he bogged down, losing many places.

Positions after Lap 1 1.Vettel, 2.Hamilton, 3.Button, 4.Massa 5.Alonso, 6.Webber, 7.Schumacher, 8.DiResta, 9.Sutil, 10.Petrov, 11.Buemi, 12.Kobayashi

With the DRS enabled after Lap 2 it didn't look to be giving the drivers a huge advantage down the straight into Turn 1, but on Lap 6 Alonso made it past Massa in a choreographed move that switched the Ferrari order. Despite being evenly matched in qualifying Vettel started to open up a gap to Hamilton. On Lap 5 it was 2.3 seconds, by Lap 7 it was 3.9 seconds and team-mate Button was catching him rapidly.

Lewis slowed and pitted at the end of Lap 8, when it was revealed that he was suffering from a slow puncture. Vettel radioed in that he was losing the rear tyres during Lap 9 and came in for his first pitstop at the end of the lap. This triggered a whole round of pit-stops with Button, Alonso, Webber and DiResta in the lap after that. Massa was temporarily in the lead until he pitted at the end of Lap 11.

Positions after Lap 12 1.Vettel, 2.Button, 3.Alonso, 4.Hamilton, 5.Massa, 6.Webber, 7.Petrov (not stopped), 8.Schumacher

In the second stint Jenson Button began to close on Vettel and Felipe Massa got into the DRS zone of Lewis Hamilton who was falling away from third place Fernando Alonso. Button closed the gap down from 2.8 seconds on Lap 15 to 1.6 seconds on Lap 18 with a couple of fastest laps thrown in.

Vettel then dived into the pits for more soft tyres at the end of Lap 19 and Red Bull executed a fantastic double pit-stop with Sebastian leaving the pitbox just as Mark Webber arrived. Button came in a lap later and exited in front.

Just as Lewis Hamilton was due to stop for his second pit-stop Felipe Massa tried a highly optimistic pass on the outside going into the final chicane. It was never going to come off, but as Hamilton moved out right the pair made contact yet again. The incident was investigated - just as the Button/Vettel one was - but no action was taken. Hamilton had a slightly longer pit-stop as the team checked out the car for damage.

Positions after Lap 23 1.Button, 2.Vettel, 3.Alonso, 4.Webber, 5.Massa, 6.Schumacher (stopped once) 7.Hamilton, 8.Sutil, 9.DiResta, 10.Kobayashi, 11.Barrichello

The incident between Massa and Hamilton looked to have taken off some Ferrari bodywork which was in the middle of the track approaching the chicane, and on Lap 24 the Safety Car was dispatched to pick it up. There was also some at Turn 7 and the cars circulated for three tours while it was picked up by the marshals.

At the restart, leader Jenson Button backed the pack right up before setting off at pace. His next lap (28) was the fastest lap of the race as he set about establishing a race-winning gap. By Lap 30 he had opened it up to 2.2 seconds, by Lap 32 it was 2.8 seconds.

At the end of Lap 32 Vettel's tyres were gone again and now teams were switching from the soft Option to the medium Prime tyres. Vettel pitted on Lap 33, Webber on 34, Hamilton on 35, Button on 36 and Alonso on 37.

Because of the safety car backing up the pack, when Vettel emerged after his pit-stop he was back down in P11. Delayed by the Saubers and Force Indias, he found Perez in between himself and Button when Jenson rejoined the track. In fact the gap had become so big that Fernando Alonso slotted into it (for nte P2) after his pit-stop. All the while Michael Schumacher hadn't pitted and so he was able to establish the record of the oldest man ever to lead an F1 race.

On Lap 38 there was action up and down the length of the field with Hamilton cruising past Massa on the straight, Vettel keen to get back on terms with Alonso and Mark Webber passing a Force India on the inside at 130R.

Positions after Lap 38 1.Schumacher (stopped twice), 2.Button, 3.Alonso, 4.Vettel, 5. Webber, 6.Rosberg (stopped twice) 7.Hamilton, 8.Massa, 9.Petrov, 10.Kobayashi

Vettel using his DRS down the straight could get close to Alonso, but was never in a position to pass. On Lap 41 Michael Schumacher pitted for the last time and rejoined in P6, behind Hamilton and in front of Massa. Though he was on fresher tyres he couldn't put pressure on the McLaren and never got to within a second of Lewis Hamilton. Massa followed his gearbox all the way to the line just 0.9 back.

On Lap 44 Button had a 4.3 second lead over Alonso but this soon began to drop. By Lap 48 the lead was down to 2.1 seconds, by Lap 50 it was only 1.0 seconds and the Ferrari driver sensed a chance. At which point Button put his foot down and started to set personal best sector times, and then purple fastest sector times and then on Lap 52 the fastest lap of the race a 1:36.568.

The Briton took the race victory but the margin was a slim one. He parked his car at the end of the pitlane, worried about running out of fuel on the slowing down lap. Alonso claimed a P2 that was aided by the Safety Car and Vettel had to settle for P3 (his worst ever Japanese GP result). Webber came home in P4, Hamilton a glum P5 and Michael Schumacher an eventful P6. Midway through the race he had been given a hefty nerf from Mark Webber's front wing, which broke bits off the Red Bull but he had survived a puncture - unlike Felipe Massa in Singapore.

The performance of the Ferraris and McLarens at a circuit where Red Bull were thought to reign supreme had been remarkable, but the day was all about Sebastian Vettel claiming his second World Championship. It was as inevitable as Massa and Hamilton making contact.

Results
01. Button McLaren-Mercedes 1h30:53.427
02. Alonso Ferrari + 1.160
03. Vettel Red Bull-Renault + 2.006
04. Webber Red Bull-Renault + 8.071
05. Hamilton McLaren-Mercedes + 24.268
06. Schumacher Mercedes + 27.120
07. Massa Ferrari + 28.240
08. Perez Sauber-Ferrari + 39.377
09. Petrov Renault + 42.607
10. Rosberg Mercedes + 44.322
11. Sutil Force India-Mercedes + 54.447
12. Di Resta Force India-Mercedes + 1:02.326
13. Kobayashi Sauber-Ferrari + 1:03.705
14. Alguersuari Toro Rosso-Ferrari + 1:04.194
15. Maldonado Williams-Cosworth + 1:06.623
16. Senna Renault + 1:12.628
17. Barrichello Williams-Cosworth + 1:14.191
18. Kovalainen Lotus-Renault + 1:27.824
19. Trulli Lotus-Renault + 1:36.140
20. Glock Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
21. D'Ambrosio Virgin-Cosworth + 2 laps
22. Ricciardo HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps
23. Liuzzi HRT-Cosworth + 2 laps

Did Not Finish
Buemi Toro Rosso-Ferrari 35

Source: Planet-F1

Button signs multi-year deal with McLaren

Britain's 2009 world champion Jenson Button has signed a new multi-year contract with McLaren, the Formula One team announced Wednesday

The announcement came ahead of Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, with Button the only driver still standing between Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel and a second successive championship.

Vettel needs just one point to clinch the title while Button must win to have even a glimmer of a hope of staying in contention with four more races to come after Japan.

McLaren said in a statement that retaining Button's services for the next few years would strengthen the Woking-based team's long-term stability.

Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 world champion, already has a contract with the team to the end of next season.

"I've never felt more at home at a team than I do at... McLaren," said Button, who won his title with Brawn GP -- the former Honda team now racing as Mercedes.

"I've won four of the greatest races of my life here (with McLaren), I'm currently lying second in the drivers' world championship and I feel that I'm driving better than ever," the 31-year-old Englishman added.

"You can only achieve that with the right level of support, and I truly believe that the passion and determination to win are stronger here... than anywhere else," said Button, who started his F1 career at Williams in 2000.

McLaren gave no details about the deal, other than saying it was multi-year, but the length of time will end paddock speculation about a possible move by the Briton to glamour team Ferrari for 2013.

"I've made no secret of my ambition to continue winning races and world championships and I fully believe this is the place where I can achieve those things," said Button.

"We... know how to win and we're busy refining an organisation that will enable us to keep on doing that for years to come."

Hamilton, who risks finishing second behind a team mate in the championship for the first time, welcomed the 'great news'.

"Jenson has been a great person to work with and a genuine team player, from the moment we welcomed him on board (in 2010)," he said.

"Jenson and I are as hungry and as ambitious as ever to win races and world championships in the future."

McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh hailed Button as "one of the most capable and respected drivers we've ever had."

"He's a considerable credit to this organisation and I'm proud to be his team principal," he added.

"I feel sure that he'll now build on the considerable success he's already achieved with us and will be even more successful with us in years to come."

Vettel leads the championship on 309 points with Button a distant second in the standings on 185. Hamilton lies fifth on 168 points.

Source: Reuters Sports

Video: Lewis Hamilton Jenson Button Silverstone Training Funny Commercial - 2011 New Carjam Radio

Source: CarjamRadio

Jenson Button bemoans Singapore traffic

Jenson Button was left frustrated with the traffic at the Singapore GP after they held him up during the closing stages of the race and forced him to settle for second place behind Sebastian Vettel

Button was trailing Vettel by more than 10 seconds before his final pit stop for fresh rubber on lap 49. By lap 59 he had managed to bring the gap down to 3.7s but then encountered traffic and the gap was back to 5.6s a lap later, forcing him to give up the ghost. He eventually finished 1.7s behind Vettel.

The former World Champion said that although he has some degree of sympathy for the drivers battling for position during the latter stages of the race, they have to yield to those who are in front of them.

"I can understand that's it's difficult to move over here and most people are fighting out there but the backmarkers have got to respect that the cars that are lapping are lapping for reason," he said.

"So yeah, there were some frustrating moments. One was [Kamui] Kobayashi when I sat behind him for a lap before he eventually pulled over."

The 31-year-old started third on the grid and concedes second place is the "best we could have hope for".

"I feel like I got everything out of the car," he said. "Especially in the last part of race, I was able to push on tyres to see what the car had. We weren't quick enough to win today but it's something to build on."

Source: Planet-F1

Button moving to Ferrari for 2013 season?

The reason Jenson Button’s 2012 McLaren contract has not yet been announced is “simple”, according to well connected veteran Formula 1 correspondent Livio Oricchio.

At Monza recently, the paddock openly wondered why October is nearing without the British team having announced already that it is taking up the option on the highly-regarded driver’s existing deal.

Asked by the BBC if the delay over 2012 is because Button, 31, is pushing for fewer corporate appearance days, team boss Martin Whitmarsh answered: “It’s not all about that.”

Brazilian journalist Oricchio, writing in the Jornal da Tarde daily on Monday, said Button simply wants McLaren to confirm him for 2012 so that he is available on the market for the season after.

“The answer is simple: Button is interested in Ferrari. And Ferrari is interested in him,” wrote Oricchio.

Indeed, during the course of 2012, Ferrari will consider whether to extend Felipe Massa’s contract or seek a new teammate for clear number one Fernando Alonso.

“Button has the right profile of a Ferrari driver,” Oricchio explained. “Fast, capable of living with Fernando Alonso and regularly among the fastest ones. He also has Alonso’s backing.”

That would explain McLaren’s eagerness to tie up Button beyond 2012, even though the 31-year-old insists he would be happy to retire having never raced a Ferrari.

“When I was growing up I was excited about the three big teams; Williams, McLaren and Ferrari,” said Button.

“It doesn’t mean you need to drive for Ferrari to fulfil your childhood dreams because as you grow up things change. I’m happy and if I can win a championship here I’d be even happier.”

Said Whitmarsh: “We’re just talking about it. I think the right thing is that we discuss it quietly.

“I’m sure we’re going to find a way to work together for many years to come, that’s certainly my wish and I hope it’s Jenson’s.”

Source: YallaF1

Button: We need to sort out 'little things'

Jenson Button admits McLaren need to work on "the little things" if they want to challenge Red Bull and Sebastian Vettel

The 2009 World Champion claimed another impressive podium at the Italian Grand Prix, finishing second behind runaway leader Vettel. The McLaren driver started third on the grid, but a poor getaway saw him drop to seventh. His poor start though did give him an opportunity to show off his overtaking skills as a series of impressive passes saw him move up to P2.

Although delighted with the result and his 'fun' with some of the drivers, Button concedes McLaren need to iron out a few things.

"It was a really fun race actually, fighting with Lewis (Hamilton), with Michael (Schumacher) and with Fernando (Alonso)," said Button. "It was a good race, not for the lead which was a shame but it was always going to be very difficult when we were down in seventh at one point, and sixth after the start.

"I had a tough start to the race, but a lot of fun and the atmosphere here is fantastic, it's electric. So another good race, we've just got to get everything together on race weekends and then we'll hopefully challenge Red Bull and Seb. It was a great job by the team, it's just the little things we need to work on."

Although Button's pass on Alonso for second place appeared to be easy, the Briton says he it wasn't quite so straightforward.

"It's a weird thing with the DRS. We get to a point on the straight where we don't go anywhere, we sit on the limiter. I made a mistake at Ascari, and Fernando got a gap and I couldn't get any closer, but on the hard tyre Fernando was struggling for grip," he said.

"That is the good thing about KERS: you can catch people out if they make a mistake. It was a tense moment but I eventually pulled a gap and easy to settle into the race."

Source: Planet-F1

Jenson Button ready for extra year with McLaren rather than hurrying into long-term deal

Jenson Button wants McLaren to activate the one-year option they have on his services for next year rather than rush into signing a new multi-year contract to stay with the team beyond 2012

While McLaren would prefer to sign Button to a long-term deal now, rather than risk losing him in 2013, it looks as if they will run out of time before next month’s deadline for activating the option.

Both parties are clearly keen for the partnership to continue, with Button describing the weekend just gone in Belgium — where he finished third after a mistake in qualifying caused him to start the race 13th — as “probably the best weekend I have had with the team”.

“All Martin [Whitmarsh, McLaren team principal] has got to do is say ‘yes’ and I will say ‘yes’ because I want to be here next year,” Button said. “I want to fight for the championship. I am more confident now, more than I’ve ever been here. The car I really like and the direction we’ve taken with the car.”

Although the exact date of the deadline is unknown, the window for such clauses traditionally falls in September around the end of the European season and the start of the races in the Far East.

The danger for McLaren is that, with Button tied down for just one more year, he may choose to look elsewhere should the team have another dreadful start like this year’s.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber is only contracted for 2012 and the Milton Keynes-based team, homing in on a second successive world championship double, are known admirers of Button.

Ferrari, for whom Felipe Massa will also be out of contract next year, are also keen on the 2009 world champion who, like a fine wine, is maturing with age.

It is, however, unlikely McLaren will be so far off the pace at the start of next season with the technical regulations for 2012 remaining much the same as 2011 and the car basically an evolution of this year’s machine which is now very competitive.

Telegraph Sport understands that the will on both sides is to agree a long-term deal which will suit both parties.

Button will seek to cut down the number of PR days and sponsorship activities he must perform — McLaren are known to work their drivers harder than any other team — while the team, whose business model is sponsor-driven, will seek to strike the right balance between his salary and their commercial revenues. Button is believed to earn around £6 million per year at present.

Lewis Hamilton, whose McLaren contract ends at the end of 2012, and who like Button objects to the amount of PR time he is contracted to, is negotiating along similar lines.

Meanwhile, Whitmarsh has assured McLaren fans the team will continue to push and try to win the remaining seven races this year — rather than throw all their resources into 2012 — despite Red Bull’s and Sebastian Vettel’s overwhelming lead in both championships.

“The fans expect it,” Whitmarsh said. “If Ferrari or particularly McLaren say that we are going to freewheel now then I don’t think that is the right message. The fans deserve a stronger battle than that. The championship looks pretty ambitious but we have got to be positive.

“You review that emphasis all the time of course. In Belgium we had six performance modifications on the car. One of those came out of the development programme for next years’ car.

“We are always going to try and steal things form next year’s car. It is not a line you draw saying this is purely this year and on the other side of that line it is purely next year. I want the car to be quicker for the next race and the race after that. We are going to keep pushing.”

Source: The Telegraph

Video: BBC - Hungarian GP - Jenson Button delighted strategy paid off in Hungary

Jenson Button talks to Jake Humphrey, Martin Brundle and Eddie Jordan after a his victory in the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Button was competing in his 200th race in Formula 1 and won after starting third on the grid and coming out on top after a battle with McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton



Source: SixtyBuckss

Jenson Button's website got hacked

Official website of Jenson Button got hacked last night. The hacker wrote to the site a headline wich told Button was at serious accident and is in critical condition. It was vandalism and Button is fine. The British driver reaches his 200th GP at F1 this weekend.

The headline said Button is in critical condition and he is in the same hospital at Hungary, where Felipe Massa was two years ago after his accident wich happened during Hungarian GP qualifying.

McLaren confirmed soon that Jenson is fine and his website got hacked. Button himself commented this morning on Twitter what happened.

- Morning everyone. I'm sure you've realised by now but someone hacked into my website last night, I'm completely fine and on my way to 200. The guy who did it obviously didn't have any better offers on a Saturday night so stayed home to do that instead. Get some friends, Button commented.

Source: RacingNewsFlash