Button hoping Vettel is not penalised in order to start from clean side of track

Vettel was called to see the stewards after qualifying in Korea for having cut the track between Turn 4 and Turn 6 as he rushed to get back to the pits after his first qualifying lap.

That has been viewed as a breach of the regulations that state drivers must use the track at all times.

Article 20.3 of the F1 Sporting Regulations states: "For the avoidance of doubt the white lines defining the track edges are considered to be part of the track but the kerbs are not."

Although Vettel could face a drop down the grid for the offence, Button is hoping that it does not happen - because starting on the dirty side of the grid could be a penalty for the start of the race on Sunday.

"Looking at the last two years, we had a wet race last year, very wet rolling start, so nobody has started on those grid slots yet in a Formula 1 car, with our type of rubber," said Button, while waiting for news of the stewards' investigation.

"Every lap we do, we drive across the right hand side of the grid. I don't think we have driven once across the left hand side yet, so the odd numbers should have an advantage. It is a good drag down to Turn 1.

"I am pretty happy being P3. I can't be P1 as Lewis has done a better job than me and he is P1, so being P3 is probably the second best place. I hope they don't give him a penalty. A reprimand maybe..."

Despite hoping that Vettel is not punished too much, Button did suggest that cutting the track like he did was not accepted behaviour.

"You are not supposed to," he said. "You are supposed to stay within the white lines. Unless you make a mistake you don't drive off the circuit really at any point, until the chequered flag is finished."