Jenson Button says Lewis Hamilton’s situation fueled criticism of Silverstone finale. British GP controversy: Jenson Button says the criticism is missing the bigger picture.

Jenson Button believes Lewis Hamilton’s situation has overshadowed an outstanding British Grand Prix

Former Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button has defended the way the British Grand Prix concluded, arguing that much of the criticism surrounding the Safety Car finish has been amplified because Lewis Hamilton was denied the opportunity to launch one final attack.

Although the closing laps at Silverstone generated plenty of debate among fans and pundits, Button believes the focus has shifted away from what was otherwise one of the most entertaining races of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Charles Leclerc ultimately crossed the finish line behind the Safety Car to secure Ferrari’s second victory of the campaign, but the circumstances surrounding the race conclusion sparked immediate discussion. Many supporters had hoped for one final lap of green-flag racing, particularly after several teams gambled on late tyre changes in anticipation of a restart.

Software issue and FIA procedure fuel post-race debate

The FIA later explained that the confusion over the Safety Car was caused by a software error that briefly displayed the “Safety Car in this lap” message. Despite the misleading notification, race officials clarified that the sporting regulations had been correctly applied.

Under the rules, once lapped cars are permitted to overtake the Safety Car, at least one additional lap must be completed before the race can restart. With only a handful of laps remaining, there was simply not enough time to resume green-flag racing, meaning the Grand Prix inevitably finished under caution.

While the decision disappointed many spectators hoping for a dramatic sprint to the chequered flag, Button believes the regulations left Race Control with very few alternatives.

Jenson Button says opinions would have been very different if Lewis Hamilton had been leading

Reflecting on the reaction after the race, Jenson Button suggested that the criticism was heavily influenced by Lewis Hamilton’s position on track. The former McLaren driver argued that if Lewis Hamilton had been leading the race instead of chasing the cars ahead, far fewer people would have questioned the Safety Car finish.

According to Button, many fans understandably wanted to see the Ferrari driver fight for victory or at least challenge George Russell after Ferrari made the bold decision to pit for fresh tyres. However, because the race never restarted, Lewis Hamilton was unable to use his significant tyre advantage.

Button also pointed out that the British Grand Prix had already delivered plenty of excitement before the late neutralization. Throughout the afternoon, fans witnessed intense battles involving Lewis Hamilton, George Russell and Max Verstappen, making the event one of the standout races of the season regardless of its anticlimactic ending.

Ferrari’s strategy almost created a dramatic finish

Ferrari’s decision to bring the Briton into the pits during the late Safety Car period was based on the expectation that racing would resume. Fresh tyres would almost certainly have given the seven-time Formula 1 world champion an excellent opportunity to attack George Russell for second place and potentially even pressure Charles Leclerc depending on how the restart unfolded.

Instead, the race ended before those scenarios could develop, leaving Lewis Hamilton unable to capitalize on Ferrari’s aggressive strategy. Even so, the British driver still secured a valuable podium finish after recovering from an eventful afternoon that included a five-second penalty and an early struggle with the balance of the SF-26.

Lewis Hamilton also emerged from a post-race investigation into a possible yellow-flag infringement without further penalties, allowing him to retain his result and continue his climb in the Drivers’ Championship. His Silverstone podium enabled him to reduce the gap to championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 15 points, although George Russell also strengthened his own title challenge by finishing ahead.

Silverstone still delivered a memorable Formula 1 spectacle

The record crowd at Silverstone had arrived dreaming of witnessing Lewis Hamilton claim a historic tenth home victory after the Ferrari driver secured Sprint pole earlier in the weekend. However, the momentum shifted as the event unfolded.

Kimi Antonelli denied Lewis Hamilton victory in the Sprint before Charles Leclerc emerged as Ferrari’s strongest contender after setup changes were permitted ahead of qualifying. By race day, Charles Leclerc had found the confidence and balance that allowed him to maximize the SF-26’s potential and ultimately take advantage of the opportunities that came his way.

For Jenson Button, however, the conversation should not revolve solely around how the race ended. In his view, the British Grand Prix provided outstanding entertainment from start to finish, and while Lewis Hamilton’s missed opportunity naturally disappointed many home fans, it should not overshadow what was ultimately a thrilling Formula 1 weekend at Silverstone.