F1 2011 Canadian Grand Prix

The Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team principal Martin Whitmarsh said “The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix may well be remembered as one of the most eventful, exciting and suspenseful races in Formula 1 history."

After a spell of heavy rain that made the circuit undriveable and triggered a lengthy red flag period, the race then restarted with Jenson Button in 21st place.

FORMULA 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has been cleared by stewards over the collision with McLaren team-mate Jenson Button that ended his 2011 Canadian Grand Prix hopes in Montreal.


Picture: Vodafone McLaren Mercedes / www.mclaren.com]



Lewis Hamilton driving around a wet Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in the 2011 Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.

Button out braked himself into the final chicane on lap seven and got a poor exit. Without seeing faster Vodafone McLaren Mercedes colleague, Button moved across to take the racing line and squeezed Hamilton into the track’s unforgiving wall.

The 2008 F1 world champion from Hertfordshire suffered damage to his rear left tyre and tried to steer his stricken car back to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve pits for repairs.

However, thinking the suspension had been broken; the McLaren pitwall told Hamilton to retire.

Stewards in Canada concluded that “Investigation results for both the crash and Hamilton subsequently stopping on the track was a racing incident and no further action was required".

Fully explaining the FIA’s decision, a statement said: “Exiting Turn 13 there was a legitimate overtaking opportunity for Lewis Hamilton as his speed was greater than Jenson Button’s".

Incredibly, he went on to take the chequered flag with an unbelievable drive, overtaking Sebastian Vettel’s Red Bull on the final lap.

After recording the victory of his career, Button concluded by saying that “Lewis knows that I didn’t do it on purpose, and I know that he didn’t do it on purpose either. Nothing was intentional.”