Formula 1 - Jenson Button warns fellow driver Max Verstappen over spat

Jenson Button has delivered a public warning to fellow Formula One driver Max Verstappen after his comments about Romain Grosjean in Monaco.

Verstappen has been given a five-place grid penalty for the Canadian Grand Prix after a high-speed collision in which he clipped the rear of Grosjean's Lotus and crashed heavily at Sainte Devote.

Button has now weighed in, warning Verstappen that he must be careful with how he reacts to incidents and making "serious" claims about other drivers.

Verstappen penalised for Monaco crash

"He's obviously inexperienced, it's easy to go and jump on the bandwagon with that," the Brit said.

"I think, the thing is, you've got to be very careful with what you do say in the press.

"To point the finger at someone and say that they braketested you - that's serious.

"I don't think that happens in motorsport these days, we're all grown-ups and we don't do things like that in Formula 1."

Max Verstappen in fresh spat with Felipe Massa

When asked if he was disappointed with Verstappen's insinuation that he was braketested, Button said: "It was a surprise, yes.

"Obviously emotions run high in this sport, but looking at the talent that we have in the sport, we're all very intelligent guys.
"We know the dangers of this sport and we'd never do anything like that."

Williams rival Felipe Massa was also unimpressed, describing the 17-year-old's driving as "pretty dangerous", adding that "experience counts in Formula 1".

Grosjean hoped for Verstappen apology

Verstappen suggested Grosjean had triggered it by braking unexpectedly early - a charge Lotus refuted.


"I braked in the same spot like the lap before but he clearly braked 10-15 metres earlier," said Verstappen at the time.

"When it is that close, you have no room. He caught me by surprise.

"I realised at the moment he braked, but by then it is too late because you don't expect someone to brake that early."

Autosport