Button said he would be taking all relevant precautions, as he did last year.
“We are having armoured vehicles and a police escort,” the 2009 world
champion said. “We had them last year after what happened the year before. I
have them as do Lewis and Whippy [McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh].”
While sunshine greeted Formula One’s early arrivals on Wednesday, heavy rain
is forecast for the weekend, making Vettel’s job that bit harder. The 25
year-old, holding a 13-point advantage over Alonso going into the weekend,
needs to finish in the top four to ensure he becomes the youngest triple
champion in the sport’s history. But Alonso can still claim his third title
if he finishes on the podium and Vettel is down the field.
“If he was up against any other opponent, I would say that Sebastian would
definitely win being 13 points ahead,” said former world champion Damon
Hill. “But you cannot write off an opponent like Fernando. He is such a
clever driver and he always seems to pull off something extraordinary.
Anything is possible in Brazil.
“Yes, Vettel has an advantage, no question. But if I had to put a percentage
on it, I would say the odds are 65 to 35 in favour of Vettel.”