“I love you Papa Smurf, you will forever be in my heart.”
The Button family said they were “devastated” after he was found
dead in his home on the French Riviera by a friend on Sunday.
Tributes to John Button came in from around the paddock.
Lewis Hamilton, who was team-mates with Button for three years at McLaren,
tweeted: “Deeply saddened by the passing of John Button. I’m so sorry.
John was such a great man and will be missed by so many. God bless.”
Sir Jackie Stewart, the three time Formula One champion, expressed his sadness
over John Button’s death, but added yesterday that he does not think
Button’s performances on track will be affected by the loss.
“His son will miss him terribly”, Sir Jackie said, speaking ahead of
a Motor Sport Hall of Fame event at the end of January.
“But I think a racing driver’s mentality is a peculiar one, and I’m not
sure it’s the same as those years past.
“I think the human is an amazing animal… and I think racing drivers
probably are tougher than most people.”