VIDEO: Vettel controversially overtakes Button

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VIDEO: Button fastest in German practice one

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Jenson Button

By Andrew Benson Chief F1 writer

Jenson Button got 2012 off to a flying start, with a win and a second place in the first three races, and at that point many were tipping him as the title favourite.

But then the wheels came off his campaign and Button scored just six points over the following five races up to Valencia.

There was a retirement in Bahrain as a result of car failure, but other than that the 2009 world champion has been utterly perplexed as to where his pace has gone, and so have his team.

It all seems a long way from 2011 when Button was the more impressive of the McLaren drivers - if not the out-and-out fastest.

Team: McLaren Team-mate: Lewis Hamilton Previous teams: Williams, Benetton, Renault, BAR, Honda, Brawn Nationality: English Born: 19/01/1980, Frome Grand Prix debut: Australia 2000 World titles: 1 (2009) Chief suspect for the source of Button's problems are the tyres - or, more specifically, the way he uses them. It seems he is simply not getting them into the correct operating window often enough.

Why it is happening to him more than Hamilton, and finding a solution to it, has flummoxed McLaren so far.

Whatever it is, a solution needs to be found quickly or Button's title hopes will be over before Formula 1's summer break.

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Button thrilled with McLaren pace

Jenson Button says he now has the car to challenge for victories after marking a return to the podium for only the third time this season at the German Grand Prix.

The Briton finished third but was promoted to second after Sebastian Vettel was penalised for an illegal overtake on the McLaren driver.

"We're right up there with Ferrari and Red Bull in terms of speed," he said.

Australia 1 Malaysia 14 China 2 Bahrain 18 Spain 9 Monaco 16 Canada 16 Europe 8 Britain 10 Germany 2 "If we can sort out qualifying we have a really good chance of winning races."

Since finishing second in China, Button's form dipped and the former world champion had only picked up seven points from six races before arriving at Hockenheim.

McLaren brought a number of upgrades to Germany and Button is feeling confident they will reap the benefits of those in the coming races.

"Our upgrade package is working well. In the last couple of races, as I've said, I've been very happy with the car - the balance of the car anyway - and my feeling with it," he added.

"The results haven't been there because the pace hasn't been there with the car.

"This race gives me a lot of confidence and I'm very happy with being up on the podium."

Next on the Formula 1 calendar is the Hungarian Grand Prix, a race that holds good memories for Button.

The 30-year-old claimed his first ever F1 victory at the Hungaroring and also won there last year.

Vettel controversially overtakes Button

"I'm already looking forward to Hungary," he said.

"It's a special place for me, and I feel really encouraged that we can have another great race next weekend."

McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh praised Button's performance, saying it proves that he still has the "hunger" shown in his 2009 championship-winning season.

"Look where Jenson was at the end of the first stint. Vettel and Alonso were some way down the road and we had to hunt them down," he said.

"Anyone who doubted Jenson's hunger can put that now to the back of their minds."

There was some disappointment for McLaren, however, as Lewis Hamilton retired on his 100th grand prix appearance with gearbox damage after running well down the field following an early puncture.

"Lewis will know he had a quick car," said Whitmarsh.

"He will be frustrated for the next 24 hours but he will recover knowing he has a good record in Hungary and he has a fast car."

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Vettel penalised for Button pass

Reigning champion Sebastian Vettel has been penalised for passing McLaren's Jenson Button while off-track during the German Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Vettel was given a 20-second penalty, which drops him from second to fifth place.

The race stewards decided Vettel had "left the track and gained an advantage when he rejoined".

The incident happened when they were battling for second on the penultimate lap of the race.

“The only intention was not to crash and to give him enough room”

Sebastian Vettel The penalty promotes Kimi Raikkonen to third and Kamui Kobayashi to fourth in a race which was won by Ferrari's Fernando Alonso.

After the race Button said: "Sebastian [Vettel]'s pass was a pretty straightforward matter: the rules state that you can't go off the track to gain an advantage.

"The thing is, there would have been more opportunities for him before the end of the race as my rear tyres were damaged. That's because I had to push hard to try and catch Fernando [Alonso], which meant I had nothing left for the end of the race.

"We pretty much ran out of rubber two laps before the end."

Vettel defended his actions but accepted the penalty: "I wasn't sure where he was, I couldn't see him in that moment, so decided to give enough space and went off line on the slippery paint and I was able to stay ahead and get past him.

"The only intention was not to crash and to give him enough room. I have respect for him and I didn't want to squeeze him.

"It was good to be on the podium at the home race, but I have to respect the steward's decision."

After the race, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "The rules are clear, the driver has to leave enough room for the other. There wasn't enough room for both. It was really a racing incident. I think it would be harsh to penalise him."

But following the decision, Horner added: "It was disappointing to receive the penalty after the race but we accept this."

Vettel penalty harsh - Horner

Button passed Vettel during the second round of stops after McLaren performed what they claim  to be the fastest stationary pit stop in history at 2.31 seconds.

The McLaren driver then gave chase to leader Alonso but began struggling with his tyres in the closing stages, which allowed Vettel to close the gap.

The Red Bull driver attempted a pass around the outside of the Turn 6 hairpin, but Button defended his position while giving Vettel space.

Vettel took to the run-off placing all four wheels off track, before sweeping back onto the circuit and completing the move. Drivers are not allowed to gain position while going off the track.

Button immediately radioed his team saying: "Did Sebastian just pass me off the circuit?"

As they waited for the podium ceremony, Button said to Vettel: "They are going to investigate your overtake by the way." Vettel responded: "I didn't know where you were."

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