Button keen to race on after crash he cannot recall

Ian Gordon
Sunday 01 June 2003 19:00 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Jenson Button was well enough to visit his BAR-Honda team in the pits yesterday, despite being forced to pull out of the Monaco Grand Prix due to his crash in Saturday's practice.

BAR took the decision not to risk Button, who spent Saturday night in hospital, after discussing the issue with Formula One's chief medical officer, Professor Sid Watkins.

The Frome-born driver had hoped to secure his first podium finish but instead had to settle for visiting the pits half an hour before the start and watching the race. He will now not return to action until testing this week.

Button admitted he could remember little of his accident having briefly lost consciousness in the cockpit .

"I didn't know that I hit the wall," he said yesterday. "It's disappointing that I can't race but then again if I am not well to race then I don't want to because I could be a danger to myself and everyone else. I haven't seen the accident yet but I will.

"I remember the car going a bit sideways to start with, then I remember being totally out of control and hitting the side barrier. It didn't feel like it was hard. Then I can remember seeing the wall coming towards me but after that I am a little bit lost.

"I don't remember how long I was unconscious for. I remember as I came around the guys had cut up to my arm.

"I remember speaking to Sid Watkins and he said I was talking but I wasn't making much sense. I said: 'What's different, that's me all over'.

"I didn't have a clue where I was. I remember looking down on my legs as they were hurting.

"I have never really had a big accident in F1 but it doesn't scare me at all. You never know if it will but it doesn't scare me at all which is the really good thing. I am looking forward to getting back in the car but I don't want to be silly about it.

"I will be testing next week and I will definitely be in Canada - 100 per cent."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in