Montreal - What started out as one of Jenson Button’s worst days as a driver turned into his best as the Briton mounted one of Formula One’s great charges to steal victory from Sebastian Vettel in Canada on Sunday.A gloomy, rainy day took a more miserable turn for McLaren when Button and team mate Lewis Hamilton came together, putting Hamilton into the wall and out of the race after eight laps.
A run-in with Ferrari’s Spanish double world champion Fernando Alonso, six visits to the pit lane – five regular stops and one drive-through penalty – added to a disastrous afternoon for the 31-year-old Briton before launching into what will go down as one of the sport’s most dramatic comebacks.
Slashing his way through the field after being left at the back of the pack, Button stalked Vettel over the closing laps – pressuring the German into an uncharacteristic mistake and pouncing when his rival’s Red Bull skidded wide.
“Eventually on the last lap I was chasing down Seb, he ran a little wide on the wet part of the circuit and I was able to take the opportunity and take the win,” a beaming Button told reporters.
“It was one of those grand prix where you are nowhere and then you are somewhere, then you’re nowhere again and then somewhere. Fighting your way through the field is almost as good as winning a race.”
Vettel, who had led the race throughout – surviving several race restarts after safety-car interruptions – hung on for second, ahead of Red Bull team mate Mark Webber, who also had to come from the back after being bumped off the track by Hamilton early in the race. Michael Schumacher drove a great race to finish fourth in his Mercedes.
Button classified his 10th career win as his greatest and few of those who sat through an afternoon of torrential rain that included a two-hour race delay would disagree.
“Amazing day, I don’t know what to say,” said Button. “It’s definitely my best race ... I’ll remember this for a long time.
“To be on the podium is a pretty exceptional result. The most action I’ve had in a Grand Prix, probably, and come away with a win. My first GP win was pretty special as it always would be ... but I would say this race is the best one I’ve had in my career.”
When McLaren arrived in Canada their hopes for victory rested on Hamilton, who had started on pole every race in Montreal, winning twice.
“The incident with Lewis, I couldn’t see anything when he was alongside me,” said Button. “I couldn’t see anything in my mirrors. It was one of those things and I apologized to him.” Reuters (Steve Keating)
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