31/07/2011
NEWS STORY
On the eve of his 200th Grand Prix Jenson Button was the target of internet hackers when a news article appeared on the 2009 world champion's official website claiming he'd been involved in a serious car accident.
The site subsequently published a brief statement:
"Earlier on today some of you may have seen a news article here on JensonButton.com regarding a car accident. This article was completely false and we are currently investigating how an unauthorised person was able to post to the site.
"Suffice to say Jenson is safe, well and tucked up in bed looking forward to tomorrow's race."
The hacked post claimed that the Englishman had been involved in a road accident late in the evening and had been taken to the AEK hospital in Budapest - the hospital where Felipe Massa was treated following his crash in 2009.
Alongside a small picture of a crashed red car (!), the 'report' claimed that the full extent of his (serious) injuries were "critical" and that a further bulletin would be issued.
Shortly after the site had been hacked, McLaren's 'fifth driver' tweeted: "Please ignore www.jensonbutton.com reports. @JensonButton's site has been hacked. Being fixed".