Button unharmed in armed incident

A statement issued by his McLaren team said that the car Button was travelling in along with his father John, physio Mike Collier and manager Richard Goddard had escaped without trouble.

The statement said: "On Saturday evening on the way back from the Interlagos circuit to Morumbi, armed would-be assailants made an attempt to approach the car that was carrying Jenson Button.

"Neither Jenson nor the other occupants of the car were hurt.

"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes had provided both Jenson and team-mate Lewis Hamilton with reinforced armoured vehicles driven by police drivers, who had been trained in avoidance techniques and were armed.

"The police driver of Jenson's vehicle reacted swiftly and, using avoidance techniques, rapidly forced his way through the traffic, taking Jenson and the other occupants of the car immediately away from any danger and back to their hotel."

Such armed incidents have become a regular occurence at the Brazilian Grand Prix, although this is the first time in recent years that a current driver is believed to have faced such a danger.

McLaren said that local officials will provide additional security for its team personnel on Sunday.

The statement added: "The Sao Paulo authorities have also acted efficiently and will be providing additional security to transfer Jenson and other senior Vodafone McLaren Mercedes personnel to the Interlagos circuit for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix."