Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button was confronted by a gang of six machine-gun-wielding robbers today after qualifying for tomorrow's Brazilian Grand Prix.


The F1 champ said six men trained their weapons on his car after he left the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, where he had earlier qualified for today's Brazilian Grand Prix.

Button, 30, was on his way back to his luxury hotel when his bulletproof Mercedes was intercepted in a shanty town at 7pm local time.


His driver -– an armed Brazilian policeman hired by the McLaren team –- sped away from the scene, striking other cars as he fled. Button said: 'My driver bounced off about five cars. We were driving over the top of them.'

In the past, the employees of several Formula 1 teams have been mugged after leaving the Brazilian racetrack. Although Button usually drives himself to and from the race track, this time McLaren insisted he have an armed driver trained in avoidance techniques. McLaren also provided Button's teammate Lewis Hamilton with a similar car and driver. (Hat tip to Ms. Motor and JF!)

[via Daily Mail]

Photo Credit: Paul Gilham / Getty Images Sport