Spa Francorchamps: Vettel apologizes to Button for the collision
Jenson Button seems devastated by his crash at the Spa Francorchamps, as he admitted that it would have a huge impact on his championship pursuit. The Brit said he doesn’t know what Sebastian Vettel was thinking while on the other hand, Vettel didn’t have a very delightful race either as he dodged a series of mishaps. However, the German apologized for the collision.
Button was having a very good race before the accident occurred. He was in second place behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton holding the Red Bulls back when Vettel made a serious misjudgment, losing control and ultimately hitting the McLaren in the lap 16. Sebastian’s car was just able to survive and continue the race.
“I don't know what happened. All I felt was a big bang in the side pod. It ripped the radiator out and I lost the drive completely. It was a very strange incident. I don’t know what he (Vettel) was doing really. It was a massive blow - a massive blow which hurts quite a bit really”, said a disappointed Button. It wasn’t easy keeping the pack behind him but Jenson was doing a good job and was looking in good shape. The team was going to change the front wing in their next stop if this incident hadn’t happen.
Jenson Button is one of the most experienced drivers in the Formula 1 as he has been in the sport for 10 years. Button joined Formula 1 with team Williams and secured the 8th place by scoring 12 points in his debut season. The 33 year old left Williams in 2001 and struggled in Benetton the following year. He stayed in the team for 3 years. After another struggling season, Button joined Honda and scored his first win there.
However, he had the worst time with the team in 2007 and 2008 when he scored disappointing 15th and 18th places respectively. The British joined a new team on the grid- Brawn GP -that was formed by former Ferrari member Ross Brawn. Jenson was lucky enough to score his first championship with the help of 6 wins, 9 podium positions and 4 pole positions that made his team secure the constructors’ title as well in their first year. This lifted Jenson’s career giving him an opportunity to join McLaren the following year. Button is currently at 4th place in the drivers’ standings with 147 points.
Meanwhile, Vettel was given a drive-through penalty by the stewards for his collision with Button. However, the German apologized for his action and stated that this was obviously not his intention to destroy Button’s race or for that matter his own. “I tried to out-brake him on the outside. When I changed from the inside to the outside, I lost the car under braking on the bump and then I couldn't really control it anymore and unfortunately crashed into him”, claimed the 23 year old.
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