Jenson Button Unharmed in Brazilian Armed Robbery Attempt

Jenson Button escaped an armed robbery attempt on Saturday night, when he was trying to reach his hotel in Morumbi from the Interlagos International Circuit, in Brazil. According to a statement issued by the Brazilian police, Button was in his car alongside father John and physio Mike Collier when a group of armed assailants tried to stop the car and rob the men inside.

Button escaped unharmed however, as did the people he was with, thanks to the quick response from the police.

“On Saturday evening on the way back from the Interlagos circuit to Morumbi, armed would-be assailants made an attempt to approach the car that was carrying Jenson Button. Neither Jenson nor the other occupants of the car were hurt,” said the statement.

“Vodafone McLaren Mercedes had provided both Jenson and team-mate Lewis Hamilton with reinforced armoured vehicles driven by police drivers, who had been trained in avoidance techniques and were armed.”

“The police driver of Jenson's vehicle reacted swiftly and, using avoidance techniques, rapidly forced his way through the traffic, taking Jenson and the other occupants of the car immediately away from any danger and back to their hotel.”

To this point, Button did not release any official statement on the incident, yet his team McLaren Mercedes thanked the authorities for their efficiency and confirmed both Button and his teammate Lewis Hamilton will continue to benefit from additional security throughout the weekend.

“The Sao Paulo authorities have also acted efficiently and will be providing additional security to transfer Jenson and other senior Vodafone McLaren Mercedes personnel to the Interlagos circuit for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix.”