Attack on Button May Have Been Kidnapping Attempt

Last weekend, a few hours before the official race start in Brazil, we reported to you that a bunch of armed assailants had tried to attack the car in which Jenson Button was trying to get back to his hotel from the Interlagos circuit, alongside father John and physio Mike Collier. Although many considered this to be a robbery attempt, some beg to differ, despite the police reports in the country.

According to triple world champion Jackie Stewart, the armed robbery attempt was actually a kidnapping one, as these kind of attacks don't happen only for wallets and watches. Not to mention the fact that the “victim” was supposed to be a world champion, well-known by everyone and well-protected by the Brazilian police.

In fact, this is how Button and the people that were with him managed to escape, as the police got them out of the car immediately and left the premises immediately.

“Drug barons don't go out to kill people but kidnap them because they are linked to rich multinational companies. In Jenson's case that means Vodafone and Mobil,” said Stewart, hinting that 6 gunmen were certainly after something much more valuable than just some pocket change.

Additionally, Button's father John told the media that the Mercedes in which they were taken to the hotel had tinted windows, so no one could see in. Meaning the attackers were alerted before Button & Co left the circuit.

“It looked like they were waiting for someone, so that's a little bit worrying,” he said.

Stealing is not uncommon in Brazil as far as Formula One is concerned. According to a report from the GMM news agency, “a group of photographers had their cameras stolen and a radio producer was relieved of his wallet and car keys.”

On top of that, Virgin's Lucas di Grassi was also mugged during the Brazilian GP, as revealed by the man himself.

“A guy walked up to the car, tapped a gun in his belt and I handed over the watch,” he admitted.