Button shunted to 12th for flag offence

Jenson Button saw his chances of clinching the Formula One world championship tomorrow further diminish after the Brawn GP driver was demoted five places down the grid for failing to slow under waved yellow flags in today’s incident-packed qualifying session for the Japanese Grand Prix.

Button had qualified seventh but will now start the 53-lap contest at Suzuka from 12th position after he was adjudged to have “failed to reduce his speed on seeing the yellow flag at the exit of turn 14” by FIA stewards.