• Hungarian Grand Prix

'I felt like a target' - Button

ESPN Staff
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Jenson Button: "If it happens again it could be a big issue" © Getty Images
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Jenson Button felt like he had a target painted on his McLaren at the Hungarian Grand Prix after both Sebastian Vettel and Romain Grosjean made contact with him during the race.

Button was out of sync with the race leaders after starting on medium compound tyres and then opting for a two-stop strategy. Vettel, who pitted earlier than Button, made contact with the McLaren on lap 17 as he tried and failed to pass at Turn 2 and then Grosjean nearly nerfed Button off the road as he passed at the chicane on lap 24.

"It was a fun race but I seemed to be a target for a lot the race," he said. "I know I'm slower but I seemed to be a target for Sebastian and Grosjean too.

"Sebastian couldn't get past initially and then tried to dive up the inside, but he didn't even have a wheel alongside and he tapped my rear wheel with his front wing. Luckily it didn't give me a puncture but I damaged his front wing.

"Grosjean had a little go as well. I was basically there with my arm out the cockpit almost saying 'What are you doing? I am going to be on the grass in second!' And then I was. He obviously wasn't thinking at that point. It could have been a lot worse than it was. It could have destroyed both our races. It didn't, but if it happens again it could be a big issue."

Button went on to secure seventh, which he believes was a positive result for McLaren.

"As a team I think we did a good job today," he added. "To finish fair and square ahead of a Ferrari and a Mercedes; we should be happy with that. There is more we need to do but there is also more coming for Spa."

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