• Driver was accompained by father, manager and trainer • Button was in armoured vehicle driven by policeman

This article is more than 9 years old

This article is more than 9 years old

Jenson Button escaped unharmed following an armed attack on the car carrying the reigning Formula One world champion and his father John away from the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo.

Button's manager, Richard Goddard, and trainer, Mike Collier, were also in the vehicle when the incident occurred after qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The 30-year-old, being chauffeured in an armoured vehicle with a police driver at the helm, managed to escape the assailants.

A statement issued by Button's McLaren team read: "On Saturday evening on the way back from the Interlagos circuit 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].

"McLaren Mercedes had provided both Jenson and team-mate Lewis Hamilton with reinforced armoured 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 São Paulo authorities have also acted efficiently and will be providing additional security to transfer Jenson and other senior McLaren personnel to the Interlagos circuit for the race."