Jenson Button vented his frustration at F1's "pathetic" radio rules after he was penalised for what seemed to be a safety issue during the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Button slowed on the fifth lap at the Hungaroring, immediately telling McLaren his brake pedal was dropping to the floor when he pressed it. McLaren's response was: "Do not shift, we have lost hydraulic pressure", only for the 2009 world champion to receive a drive-through penalty for banned radio communications, something required following the tightening of the radio regulations.
Later in the race, Button took to his radio to say: "So the brake pedal going to the floor is not classed as a safety issue? Quite interesting. I think Charlie [Whiting, FIA race director] needs to read up on what is safe and what isn't."
Button, who eventually retired from the race with an oil leak, was adamant afterwards that he had been penalised for a safety issue which could have led to an accident.
"It's a stupid regulation," Button said after the race. "I completely understand that drivers should not be fed information that helps us drive the car, I'm totally with that because I think it's wrong that we are told every corner where our team mate is quicker or slower than us, and fuel saving should be down to us and so much should be down to us but when it's a safety concern, the brake pedal going to the floor, you shouldn't get penalised for stopping an accident but we did today."
The rules were enforced to stop drivers being coached by the pit wall after a flurry of fan complaints in 2015. Button agrees with the principal of the rule but says his issue in Hungary was proof it has gone too far.
"There are certain things I like with drivers not being allowed to ask how quick their teammate is, or whether they should rub their arse on certain corners or pick their nose but for me I think it's pathetic that you get penalised for stopping an incident."
Asked whether the Grand Prix Drivers' Association needed to raise it as an issue to the FIA, he replied: "It's not for the GPDA to make the call it's for Formula One to realise their mistakes. I think we've done... Formula One has realised it's mistakes in terms of where the cars are right now, next year I think the regulations are really exciting but this rule...
"It shouldn't need the drivers to speak out, it's common sense. That's something which is obviously missing at some points when these regulations are written."