Button feels sympathetic with Hamilton following Belgian GP row with Rosberg

McLaren driver Jenson Button has said that he feels sympathy with Lewis Hamilton after his Belgian Grand Prix came to an end on lap two by a collision from his Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton, who said Rosberg admitted deliberately crashing into him, is 29 points behind his the German with seven races left this season.

Button said that he feels for Hamilton, adding that it is a shame it's not a cleaner fight. He said that any driver would look at it now, and he is sure Rosberg will look at it and say that he didn't know what he was thinking, The BBC reported.

The incident left Hamilton with a rear puncture that ultimately caused his retirement, while Rosberg recovered from a damaged front wing to finish second behind Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo.

Button, who partnered fellow Briton Hamilton at McLaren for three seasons from 2010 to 2012, said of the overtaking maneuver that there was no move and added that it is strange as one should be able to judge situations like that a bit better.

Mercedes have a commanding 157-point lead in the constructors' championship, but 34-year-old Button said the relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg would overshadow the remainder of the drivers' championship.

Button said that he has always said the person who wins the world championship this year is the person who does the best job on the circuit, but he added that that does not quite seem the way it is at the moment.

Rosberg could face punishment from the FIA, the sport's governing body, while Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff said that the team will decide on any action when everybody is in a cooler, calmer frame of mind.