The McLaren Formula One team said Saturday that driver Jenson Button has escaped unscathed from an apparent armed robbery or carjacking attempt in Sao Paulo.
Jenson and his entourage emerged unscathed, reportedly because their police driver was able to get away. The incident is extremely worrying for all F1 personnel.
A McLaren statement said: "On Saturday evening (November 6) on the way back from the Interlagos circuit to Morumbi (Sao Paulo), armed would-be assailants made an attempt to approach the car that was carrying Jenson Button.
"Neither Jenson nor the other occupants of the car were hurt. (The other occupants were John Button [Jenson's father], Mike Collier [Jenson's physio] and Richard Goddard [Jenson's manager].)
"Vodafone McLaren Mercedes had provided both Jenson and teammate Lewis Hamilton with reinforced armored vehicles driven by police drivers, who had been trained in avoidance techniques and were armed.
"The police driver of Jenson's vehicle reacted swiftly and, using avoidance techniques, rapidly forced his way through the traffic, taking Jenson and the other occupants of the car immediately away from any danger and back to their hotel.
"The Sao Paulo authorities have also acted efficiently and will be providing additional security to transfer Jenson and other senior Vodafone McLaren Mercedes personnel to the Interlagos circuit for Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix."


Read more: Formula One: Button escapes armed attack in Brazil