Button survives early scare from rival to stand on top of podium at ‘special’ circuit

Jenson Button reduced his girlfriend to tears following a highly emotional Japanese Grand Prix victory.

The day primarily belonged to Sebastian Vettel for clinching back-to-back Formula 1 titles, but it was Button who claimed a rousing win, his third this year for McLaren.

With F1 playing its part to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami that killed more than 15,000 people in March, the triumph was especially poignant for Button.

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The 31-year-old likes to class Japan as his second home given the time he spends there with his model girlfriend Jessica Michibata.

So when Button took the chequered flag at Suzuka, beating Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso and Vettel into second and third, and with just two seconds separating the trio, it was a moving moment for Michibata.

“It feels like a home win, and it’s a very emotional win, not just for myself, but the whole team, and especially my close-knit little team of Mikey (Collier, trainer), the old man (dad John Button) and Jessica,” said Button.

“Obviously that’s because of the connection with Japan through Jessica, who was bawling her eyes out after the race. It was very difficult for me to stop myself from crying.

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“But it was a very special race for all of us, and also because this circuit is just phenomenal, a work of art I would say.”

Button’s race, though, was almost over before the first corner as he was pushed onto the grass by an aggressive Vettel at the start.

The 24-year-old German swerved across in front of Button to try and retain his lead from pole, forcing the Briton to lift and lose second place to team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

The manoeuvre angered the normally mild-mannered Button who jumped onto the team radio to make clear that he felt the move deserved a penalty.

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The stewards disagreed, but that did not stop Button post-race from confronting Vettel in the green room, where the top three drivers gather shortly before they are escorted onto the podium.

“I am not going to lie. From my point of view I felt he kept coming when I had half my car up the inside,” said Button. “I thought he came across more than I expected and didn’t give me any room.”

From his perspective, Vettel said: “He expressed his feelings. Obviously it was not my intention to put him in any danger, but I think we can run with two wheels on the grass.”

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