Button evades Webber attack to score

The British driver skipped through the first corner chaos, and also avoided Mark Webber's late assault on his eighth position which ended with the Jaguar driver spinning into the gravel trap.

"I'm really pleased to finish eight today," said Button, who started 17th. "We did a great job from where we started. I had a real problem with my rears locking due to a diff control failure, so it wasn't easy trying to keep everyone behind - particularly Webber. It's a nightmare starting from the back and I have to do better in Hungary because I'm just making life hard for myself."

Webber admitted his attempt to pass Button was a do-or-die effort.

"I could either choose between a no-points ninth place or take a stab at passing Jenson for a championship point," said Webber. "I did the latter but with grip and balance being such an issue, the car spun off in the Stadium section and that was that. I have no regret about making the move at all. The opportunity for a point was there and I had no choice but to have a go."