Jenson Button hit with grid penalty for Pascal Wehrlein clash

Jenson Button has been "punished" with a grid drop at the next event he competes in for his clash with Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein.

The McLaren driver, who stood-in for Fernando Alonso this weekend, is unlikely to compete in another Formula 1 race, therefore the penalty is never likely to be applied.

Button attempted to pass Wehrlein at Portier, but the pair collided and the German ended up on his side, stuck against a tyre wall. Button meanwhile retired with suspension damage.

The stewards rejected Button's explanation and said he was "predominantly" to blame for the collision.

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"The Stewards did not consider the consequences of the collision which resulted from Button trying to brake at the last moment and Wehrlein's interlocked wheel causing the car to turn on its side. The Stewards determined that Button was predominantly to blame."

Button was handed a three-place grid penalty and two penalty points.