Vettel shunts champion Button out of Belgian GP

Posted at 12:00am on 29 August 2010

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium, Aug 29 (Reuters) - Formula One world champion Jenson Button retired from the Belgian Grand Prix for the second year in a row on Sunday after Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel ploughed into the side of his McLaren.

The Englishman, fourth in the title chase with six races remaining after Spa, had been running in second place behind team mate Lewis Hamilton when the incident happened on the 17th lap.

Vettel lost control of his car under braking, with the Red Bull snapping sideways and then crashing into the side of the McLaren.

The young German made it back to the pits and rejoined the race with a new front wing but Button's steaming car was too badly damaged to continue.

Stewards, including Britain's former champion Nigel Mansell, investigated and handed Vettel a drive-through penalty for causing a collision.

Vettel had started the day third overall, four points ahead of Button and 10 behind championship-leading team mate Mark Webber.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Pritha Sarkar; To query or comment on this story email: sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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