Button crashes heavily in practice

Button lost control of his BAR-Honda at the fastest part of the circuit, exiting the tunnel under braking for the harbourfront chicane. The car hit the barrier on the right-hand side of the road, which sent it across into the barrier on the left, which then flicked the BAR round and sent Button into a heavy lateral impact with the barrier bordering the escape road further down the track. The accident appeared to have a lot of similarities to that which befell Karl Wendlinger at the same part of the circuit in 1994.

FIA medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins was immediately on the scene overseeing Button's extrication from the car, which took 10 minutes. The driver's helmet and HANS (Head And Neck Support) device were removed almost immediately, followed by the special seat that is designed to support the driver and come out as a single entity.

Button was placed on a stretcher and taken to the circuit medical centre. We will keep you fully updated with further news of his condition.