USA: Button pushed out at first corner

By Phil Huff
July 2 2006

Jenson Button's Indianapolis Grand Prix has lasted just two thirds of a mile, after the Brit got caught up in a first corner accident, the two McLaren's starting a chain reaction that left eight cars out.

Despite recovering and circulating behind the safety car, although in last place, damage to the Honda RA106 left the car with a water leak. Without that water, and with no way of topping it up, Jenson's race was over.

"It's very disappointing," said a frustrated Jenson immediately after his exit. "I think Montoya hit my back wheel. He had enough room on the inside, he had so much room. I don't know if he understeered, or if he hit Kimi up the arse, I don't know. Then he just pushed me into Heidfeld and he rolled over, and then it was just a big mess."

Jenson pulled into the pits, looking for a cure to the damage, but there was nothing to do. "We were trying to get out as there are so few cars out there, but it's going to take too long. With the issue we had, running like that for two laps has probably damaged the engine."

Also out were the two McLaren's, BMW's Heidfeld, William's Mark Webber, Red Bull's Christian Klien and local here Scott Speed.

Honda powered Super Aguri suffered, with Franck Montagny out in the first corner incident, and Takuma Sato putting himself out a couple of laps later after diving into the side of Tiago Monteiro.