Jenson Button’s return to Formula One wasn’t as good as anyone would have hoped, with the Brit crashing out of the race and taking Pascal Wehrlein with him an a spectacular fashion. But perhaps the award for the most pointless penalty goes to the FIA stewards for their decision to give Button a grid penalty.
Sauber’s Wehrlein and McLaren’s Button collided with each other at Portier (turn 8) in big airborne wreck. Button attempted to overtake on the inside of the Sauber, but since the streets of Monaco are so narrow and unforgiving, he ran out of space and collided with the rear of Wehrlein. This sent Wehrlein’s car on two wheels, in an accident that only Terry Grant could save.
On just his two left-side wheels, Wehrlein was sent helmet-first into the outside barrier. Luckily, he escaped the incident uninjured, despite concerns about his previous back injury from the pre-season. Button was also forced to retire from the race, having damaged his left-front suspension.
In a post-race investigation where telemetry, video and driver statements were reviewed, the stewards decided that Button was to blame for the incident, since Wehrlein was on the racing line. The penalty: three grid places at his next race.
It’s an odd penalty, since Button has already admitted that his return in Monaco is likely to be his final outing in Formula One. With no more planned absences from any of the contracted McLaren drivers this season, it’s unlikely that Button will ever have to serve his penalty, since it’s only valid for the 2017 season.
Button was also given two penalty points on his license.
