Grapevine: Paddock Life - Hockenheim edition

Button revealed on Friday that he is currently reading Christopher Hilton's new book on Hunt. "My father gave it to me," said Jenson.

"But it seems the people quoted haven't tried to be too positive about him and it seems to be a little too much, I personally think. The guy's a legend, he won the world championship and people need to remember that."

You might think the book would highlight how much Formula One has changed since the 1970s, but Jenson claims the opposite is true.

"Everybody says that, but the press and everything you guys (well, not really you guys). But he had a tough time even when things were going well for him.

"No, I don't think it has changed that much from those days. The one big thing you notice is that it is so much safer nowadays. Every year somebody would get killed."

The Red Bulletin, F1's daily paddock newspaper, celebrated its 100th issue on Saturday.

"What have we gained from the 2,352 pages and 26 Grands Prix since we went live?" it asked. "Huge bar bills, a suspicious rash and possibly some marriage annulments. We hope you enjoy it as much as a couple of us are."

A party was held to celebrate on Saturday evening. But somehow that didn't stop the irreverent rag still coming out on Sunday morning!

Fernando Alonso celebrated his 25th birthday on Saturday. But seventh place on the grid was not exactly the birthday present he had always wanted.

Nevertheless, his Renault team did their best to keep his chin up by presenting him with a giant cake.

And amazingly F1's highly sophisticated humour was kept in check. People were actually seen eating the cake, rather than picking it off their faces...

No one can say we take ourselves too seriously here at autosport.com - and it's just as well.

Your humble correspondent won't be returning to the Midland motor home to be fed any time soon. On Friday morning he turned up for breakfast and within seconds had drowned a table with orange juice.

Having sidled away, desperately trying to avoid the glares of the Midland staff, he then sat down next to Johnny Herbert to eat his cornflakes. As he rose to take his leave he almost overturned the glass table top and Herbert nearly ended up with his breakfast in his lap.

Your correspondent made a sheepish, but rapid, beeline for the door.

Quote of the weekend has to be a gem from Ron Dennis. During Saturday afternoon's meet the team, the McLaren boss was asked if he had received any congratulatory calls for Kimi Raikkonen's pole position from Colombia.

"No, but I had a phone call from Miami - from downtown McDonald's," he quipped.

Burger-loving Juan Pablo Montoya might still be on the payroll, and McLaren are still sticking to the line that they could recall him to the team at any time - but somehow we get the impression that he really is history as far as F1 is concerned.