Jenson Button hits out at F1 traffic in Malaysian GP qualifying
Jenson Button has hit out at drivers failing to get out of the way during Formula 1 qualifying sessions when they are not on flying laps
The McLaren driver was angry at traffic on both of his runs during the first segment of qualifying for the Malaysian Grand Prix.
But while he complained during his first run when he spun while behind Renault driver Kevin Magnussen, Button singled out Manor rookie Esteban Ocon for criticism.
"I'd spun off, I can't put that down to Kevin being in the way, but he was the fifth car I caught on my timed lap and I was just getting frustrated," said Button when asked about his Q1 problems.
"The, when I went for a lap again, Ocon just didn't move offline at all braking for Turn 9.
"He was on an outlap so I had to actually outbrake him and lunge him up the inside, which I don't think I've ever had to do in qualifying before."
Button was unsure whether the Manor team or driver was to blame for that specific incident, but he believes some teams are not doing the job they should be in monitoring the traffic - even though there was no investigation into potential impeding offences during qualifying.
"It's disappointing. Our team are very good at telling us when there is a car coming up behind, they give you a countdown of seconds," he said.
"It doesn't seem that other teams are keeping their eyes open as much, or the drivers aren't listening.
"It's a shame, if we have that [nobody looking out for traffic] we all have to go out at the same time and that limits your qualifying timing."
Manor team principal Dave Ryan, who was frustrated by traffic costing driver Pascal Wehrlein time, was apologetic but did not go into the reasons behind the problem.
"There was a bit of an issue with Button and if there was then apologies," said Ryan.
KVYAT: NO-ONE CARES ABOUT TRAFFIC
Toro Rosso driver Daniil Kvyat, who qualified 15th, was also frustrated by traffic.
He suggested that drivers do not make enough effort to get out of the way, but that the situation improved after Q1 with six fewer cars on the track.
"Q1 was very scrappy because of traffic but I guess it was similar for everyone," said Kvyat.
"I was very lucky to get through Q1 actually because we had at least two cars on the line, so no one really cares, no one moves away.
"But anyway that's the modern drivers I guess."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments