Jenson Button says the sort of accident that took him out of the British Grand Prix is more likely to happen “when you're starting so far back”, with the McLaren-Honda driver retiring after three corners at Silverstone.

Following another tough qualifying session, the 2009 world champion lined up a lowly 18th on the grid and was caught up in the opening lap melee, which involved the two Lotus and both MP4-30s, and triggered an early Safety Car period.

“It looks like there was two cars having a bit of an incident on the apex of Turn 3,” said Button. “Fernando (Alonso) tried to miss them and I think he lost the rear and just clipped my rear tyre. The impact turned the car off. The engine was not running so I obviously stopped.

“When you’re starting so far back, there’s the chance that this happens. I’m surprised this has not happened more often really. Incidents are a lot easier at the back of the grid because you come up on cars, with the closing speed and everything in corners, so it’s going to happen until we find the pace.”

Button’s retirement means he extends his series of non-podium finishes on home soil to 16, though this would have been a near-miracle for the Briton to break his duck this year considering his team’s current level of performance.

“The crowd has been amazing. Seeing people clapping and cheering after my race, which was three corners, it’s such a nice atmosphere – very special – and I wish I could have done more into my home crowd.”

Button and McLaren-Honda’s silver lining came from team-mate Alonso finally securing his maiden 2015 championship point with 10th at the chequered flag.

Click here for Galleries from the British Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Julien Billiotte

Recent Posts

Ferrari and Mercedes admit to plank changes based on FIA’s TD

Ferrari and Mercedes have both modified their car’s floor element in Las Vegas to comply…

1 hour ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton continues on top in second practice

Lewis Hamilton put Mercedes on top of the timesheets for the second time in Las…

2 hours ago

2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix Free Practice 2 - Results

Full results from Free Practice 2 for the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas,…

2 hours ago

Leclerc confident Ferrari ‘has a shot’ at F1 Constructors’ title

Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari has a genuine “shot” at beating rival McLaren to Formula…

3 hours ago

Komatsu: F1 teams united against Audi 2026 cost-cap offset

Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has revealed that nine Formula 1 teams stand in opposition…

5 hours ago

Las Vegas GP: Hamilton leads Mercedes 1-2 in trouble-free FP1

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell led the field in a chilly but trouble-free first practice…

6 hours ago