FORUMula1.com

[acosmichippo]

To be fair, does anyone really know what a "normal" strategy is with these pirellis?

[carmonwebber]

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST I AM PULLING FOR HAMILTON TO STEAL THE WDC AWAY FROM VETTEL.

Oh dear that's all we need,Lewis stealing.

The internet would meltdown.

Didn't he also 'steal' the 08 title from the Maz?

[spankyham]

Some very harsh words from a Red Bull team mechanic. Still, it was a pretty amazing mistake for someone as experienced as Button to make.

Red Bull Formula 1 team mechanic scolds Button as cheater after pit stop
Monday, 18 April 2011 11:53

At least one Red Bull Formula One team member did not see the funny side after Jenson Button drove into the wrong area for a pit stop in China.

"He is obviously so eager to drive for Red Bull that he wanted to stop there," joked team boss Christian Horner, after McLaren's Button stopped for service on Sunday surrounded by the gesticulating blue clad Red Bull pit crew.

Button realised his error quickly and did not hold up the chasing Sebastian Vettel, who in fact took race position from the Briton.

"I was like 'Oh my god, I can't believe I just did that'," the red-faced 2009 World Champion said afterwards.

Button's own boss Martin Whitmarsh was not overly impressed but he saw the funny side, describing the faux pas as "comical" and joking that his driver "must have liked the look of Red Bull's tyres".

British comedy lover Vettel smiled when asked about Button's mistake but also furrowed his brow to point out the more serious side.

"I lost a little bit of time because I waited, I didn't want to stop and then go again. It's also not easy for the (pit) guys, it's very easy to lose the rhythm," said the reigning champion.

Even more irritated was Red Bull's left rear wheel gun operator Mark Lenton, otherwise known as Mark Webber's number one mechanic 'Crunch'.

"I realised they were cheating from the beginning," he said when asked about the incident by the BBC's David Coulthard after the race.

"I was pretty disappointed when he wanted to stop, to slow us down," added Lenton.

Asked by Coulthard if he was joking, 'Crunch', clarifying that his view was a personal opinion rather than a team one, continued: "I honestly think they were trying to cheat.

"I thought it was a very cheeky move to try to slow us down."

[acosmichippo]

Hard to imagine that was a planned move. There are easier ways to slow people down.

[bud]

Mechanics aren't the brightest of folk.

[Robert12010]

Mechanics aren't the brightest of folk.

[texasmr2]

It was a very odd mistake yet that is all I think it was just a mistake, I do not think or percieve Button as a cheater in any sense of the word.

[bud]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

[texasmr2]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

Also how can Vettel say he waited?!?!?! He was not heldup one bit imo or atleast it appeared he was not.

[darwin dali]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

Also how can Vettel say he waited?!?!?! He was not heldup one bit imo or atleast it appeared he was not.

He did slow down, almost as if he hesitated - it was definitely not your regular screeching approach to the box. But also no biggie. However, if the mechanics had screwed up the stop, it would have been a different story, I'm sure.

[darwin dali]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

If it was FM stopping in the McLaren pit hindering LH while FA is in hot pursuit of LH, wouldn't you cry foul?

[Hammer278]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

Also how can Vettel say he waited?!?!?! He was not heldup one bit imo or atleast it appeared he was not.

Watch it again. Vettel did wait, he lost a second or so there. Button might have been affected but dont forget relative to everyone else on track, Vettel lost out.

The mechanic is still a real idiot though...there is no way a driver is stupid enough to do that on purpose. Only stupid enough to do it accidentally.

[texasmr2]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

Also how can Vettel say he waited?!?!?! He was not heldup one bit imo or atleast it appeared he was not.

He did slow down, almost as if he hesitated - it was definitely not your regular screeching approach to the box. But also no biggie. However, if the mechanics had screwed up the stop, it would have been a different story, I'm sure.

It must have been the late hour and I have not reviewed the race so you may be right. Well actually thinking how close Vettel was behind Button he must have had to break sooner than normal. That was definitely a "not your average highlight" now was it ?

[bud]

It hindered himself more than vettel!

If it was FM stopping in the McLaren pit hindering LH while FA is in hot pursuit of LH, wouldn't you cry foul?

Button was racing Vettel at that stage Button screwed himself over he doesnt want to help Lewis. Button came into the pits leading Vettel, came out behind him. Yeah that cheating really paid off for him

Watch it again. Vettel did wait, he lost a second or so there. :

Not even half a second!

[Robert12010]

it hindered button because vettel got infront anyway!