How Jenson Button’s F1 return turned sour, from threatening to pee in Alonso’s seat to flipping rival's car

What started out as a happy and carefree weekend in the sun, did not end as Jenson Button would have liked as he retired Fernando Alonso’s McLaren on Lap 66 after clipping the Sauber of Pascal Wehrlein.

The 2009 Formula One world champion started from the pitlane after the team were forced to make changes during Saturday night after he had qualified in am impressive ninth.  

Button had been recalled from his role as team ambassador while the Spaniard takes part in the Indianapolis 500 and the 37-year-old admitted that he had found it a struggle to get to grips during Thursday’s practice sessions.

He said: “I’m braking for corners and I just feel like I’m going to be in the barriers. It’s strange initially, but I’m definitely getting to grips with it.

“High-speed is so much fun, the first part of the Swimming Pool is flat – I can’t remember the last time it was flat, it probably hasn’t ever been for me.”

There was a lighthearted moment prior to the race and a reminder of why he is so well liked on the circuit when he received a call from Alonso as he waited for lights out. 

It was a nice touch to hear the friendship that is still evident between the former teammates.

The Spaniard said: "Wishing you the best of luck. Take care of my car."

With a hint of that cheeky smile, Button replied: "I'm going to pee in your seat."

But after spending most of race day at the very back of the track and being involved in the collision that left Wehrlein’s car at a 90-degree angle, he looked like a man lost and dejected.

It was merely the culmination of a disappointing couple of years for the fan favourite who looked like he was on the ultimate busman’s holiday.

After the crash, he explained: "It's so difficult to see out the back of these cars - I've been telling the team and the FIA that all weekend. I tried to back out of it, but was too late. I've never seen a car go up on its side before."

He may still be in pristine shape due to all his triathlon training but the drivers at the top will tell you it's as much - if not more - about mentality as it is physicality, and it's reasonable to wonder if Button's head is still in it. 

After a world championship in 2009, 15 race wins, 50 podium places and 1,235 points; no one would forgive him from retiring fully from the sport he has committed 30 years of his life to, especially one as precarious as Formula One.

It remains to be seen if we will ever see Button back in F1 on a regular basis. One suspects he no longer loves the sport as much as it loves him.