Button: I over-reacted at Hamilton

JENSON BUTTON has conceded to an over-reaction in his criticism of Lewis Hamilton following Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Button initially claimed Hamilton's performance at Hockenheim to be "strange" as his former McLaren team-mate was involved in a trio of minor collisions en route to finishing third from 20th on the grid.

One of those involved Button at the hairpin as an attempt by Hamilton to pass culminated in the latter losing the front-wing endplate from his Mercedes.

Hamilton believed Button was letting him through, with the incident proving costly as a clean pass would likely have resulted in the 29-year-old finishing runner-up to team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Button, though, was left perplexed by Hamilton's remarks as he said: "Why would we let anyone through?

"I think the problem with Lewis is he expected me to let him past, but I don't think I'm the only person he drove into.

"It's strange, but when the car (Mercedes) is so much quicker you'd think he wouldn't get into so many fights, but there you go.

"I'm out there doing my race. It would make it boring if we all let him past when he was coming through the field."

But upon reviewing the accident, Button has now had a change of heart, although stopped short of issuing an apology.

Via Twitter, Button said: "After watching the race back think I over-reacted with my feelings about Lewis' move.

"I can understand why he thought I was giving him room."

Button followed up with a picture of their coming together, adding: "Amazed we both got around the corner!! F1 put on a great show and long may it continue!"

By Press Association reporters