'Lucky' Button Accepts Doctors' Decision

Jenson Button has said he was forced to accept doctors orders and miss the Monaco Grand Prix despite wanting to compete in Sunday's race.

Button was withdrawn from the Monte Carlo event following his accident in Saturday morning practice after spending the night in hospital. The 23-year-old revealed that he was eager to take part but had to accept defeat in his bid to take to the track after heeding advice from doctors and FIA medical delegate Professor Sid Watkins.

"I want to race, obviously, but in the circumstances I'm not going to," Button said. "It's difficult. The doctor didn't want me to drive but I wanted to. I'm a racing driver, that's what I do.

"All I remember is spinning lots and hitting the wall very hard. I think I hit the right wall first on braking. The Armco is pretty flat, but there was a bollard sticking out and I clipped it with a wheel.

"That sent me spinning across and I hit the other wall. I was actually quite lucky because it hit in the middle of the car and that took a lot of force out of it. I did black out for a little while. If I'm not fit to drive then I'm not fit to drive.

"I had slight concussion yesterday and if the same thing happened today it wouldn't be good for me."

Button touched the barrier when exiting the tunnel and ploughed into the barriers at the chicane at approximately 290km/h. He remained in his car as marshals freed him from the wreckage before being taken to hospital for x-rays and scans.