Button and Palmer in all-British bust-up

AUSTIN — Jenson Button said he hoped fellow Briton Jolyon Palmer would be penalised after the pair clashed during Saturday’s qualifying for the United States Grand Prix in Austin.

Button, the 2009 world champion and McLaren driver, said he was blocked by the Renault rookie at the vital, final corner during their laps in Q1.

The incident cost Button time and he failed to progress from Q1, starting Sunday’s race from 19th on the grid. “You don’t know what the car is doing because he’s weaving around. Disappointing,” said the veteran Button. “And Renault in the way again, as so many times in the last couple of races. That hurt us today, so hopefully they’ll get a penalty for it.”

Palmer, who qualified 15th, rejected Button’s description of the incident. —