SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium (AP) Jenson Button exited the Belgian Grand Prix prematurely Sunday after Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull crashed into his car during a failed overtaking maneuver at the end of the 16th lap.
Button was unhurt.
Vettel was able to stay in the 44-lap race but was ordered to perform a drive-through penalty after skidding into the side of the McLaren driver on a failed overtaking attempt at the chicane of the Spa circuit.
Button, who was second to teammate Lewis Hamilton at the time of the accident, walked away unscathed but the defending Formula One champion's title chances took a hit.
``It's a massive blow, a massive blow,'' Button told the BBC. ``It hurts quite a bit.''
Button trailed overall leader Mark Webber of Red Bull by 14 points coming into Belgium, and third-place Vettel by four points.
Webber's poor start allowed Hamilton, who sits second in the standings, to lead from the start while Button moved up from fourth to third before overtaking Robert Kubica of Renault to sit second.
But then Vettel lost control on the slick circuit in the stretch leading into the chicane after failing to get past Button.
``It was looking really good,'' Button said. ``I don't know what happened with Sebastian.''
Vettel re-emerged from his penalty to sit 13th with less than half of the race to go.
The scene was similar to the Turkish GP when Vettel touched the back of another Red Bull driver Webber following a failed overtaking maneuver.
There are six GPs remaining after Belgium.
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