Like Nico Rosberg at the British Grand Prix, Jenson Button found himself on the receiving end of a penalty from the FIA for violating the regulations regarding team radio communications. The new rules have been heavily criticized since the FIA has started strictly enforcing the new regulations. Button has lashed out against the new regulations, saying that they “shouldn’t be in place at this level of a sport”.
Only five laps into the Hungarian Grand Prix, Jenson Button began to experience brake issues. The issue was diagnosed as a hydraulics issues by the team over the team radio. A frustrated Button originally believed that he race was over, but the team advised him to stay out so that they could figure out how to fix the issue. They were able to advise him on how to fix the issue in the car, but not before he had dropped to the back of the field. To make matters worse, the FIA issued Button a penalty.
Jenson Button explained the issue and his opinion on the regulations:
“We had a brake sensor problem early on, which meant the pedal went to the floor, and it’s never nice for a driver to get that feeling. The brakes just weren’t there, which was a big safety concern. The team told me to make a switch change on the steering wheel to make sure it wouldn’t happen again, and it duly resolved itself, but we got a penalty for the communication. We pitted so that they could give me the information I needed, but I guess we should have pitted earlier than we did. Having said that, it didn’t really matter as I was last anyway.
I completely understand that drivers shouldn’t be fed information that helps us drive our cars – we should be able to deal with that job ourselves, and in fact I love that challenge. But when it’s a safety concern, I don’t think you should get penalized for preventing an accident, as we did today. When you have a power unit that’s so complex, a driver can’t figure out everything for himself. It’s a regulation that shouldn’t be in place at this level of a sport which is so good in so many other ways, and I think commonsense should now prevail.”
After further investigation, the team discovered that the issue was with one of the brake system sensors. The FIA’s regulations regarding the team radio were designed to prevent driver coaching over the team radio, while still allowing the teams to advise drivers on how to repair potential safety issues. The FIA’s decision to penalize Button has confused many, as a brake issue should be considered a serious safety issue.
In the end, the penalty didn’t impact Button’s race result. He retired from the race on lap 60 because of an oil leak. He was the only retirement from the race.
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Weekend Summary: 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix
Regulations Cause Confusion Over Hungary Grid
Rosberg Demoted To Third In British Grand Prix
FIA Increases Radio Ban
