Button 'clashed' with Branson over girl

Eurosport - Sun, 12 Apr 20:09:00 2009

World Championship leader Jenson Button had a run-in with Richard Branson over approaches to his supermodel girlfriend Jessica Michibata, according to the News of the World.

FORMULA 1 2009 - Virgin chairman Richard Branson poses with Brawn GP drivers Jenson Button (L) of Britain and Rubens Barrichello - 0

Branson, 58, boss of new Brawn GP sponsor Virgin, is married but flirted openly with Michibata, 24, the paper said.

"Richard was clearly very, very drunk and took a shine to Jessica during the evening. But there was a misunderstanding and Jenson became angry," a source reportedly said.

"The whole thing got very, very heated. Richard thought Jenson was overreacting, and gave as good back. Both of them were livid."

The incident was said to have occurred at a restaurant in Melbourne, Australia, a day after Branson (pictured centre) had announced his deal to sponsor English driver Button's (left) team.

Button had earlier qualified on pole for the season-opening race and the next day secured a memorable triumph.

"This was before Jenson and the Brawn GP team won in Melbourne and Malaysia, and they were an untested team looking for sponsorship," the source added.

"So for Jenson to lose his rag at Richard, it was serious. But things were fine by the next day."

Button, 28, won the second GP in Malaysia, which was shortened by a thunderstorm.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport

Comment 73 - 92 of 92

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  1. " According to the News of the World"....... ­ What does this article even have to do with reality ?

    From floydp1947, on Tue 14 Apr 5:35AM

  2. Perhaps Sir Branson would like for her to ride on his­ Balloon! :D

    From pHilo, on Mon 13 Apr 9:31PM

  3. Perhaps she said "pass the ginger nuts" and­ he said "sure thing baby", just an innocent­ misunderstanding?

    From rubydog123, on Mon 13 Apr 8:36PM

  4. They don't call him Tricky Dicky for nothing.

    From JOHN, on Mon 13 Apr 8:10PM

  5. story

    From ihuoma o, on Mon 13 Apr 7:05PM

  6. WHAT A VERY SAD OLD MAN

    From RUSS, on Mon 13 Apr 6:33PM

  7. I wonder if R Branson has been following Pele's­ marketing adventure's of late ?

    From art_tidesco, on Mon 13 Apr 6:24PM
  8. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    mea a so happy mea could a fly

    From , on Mon 13 Apr 6:12PM

  9. Calm down chris, calm down!!!!

    From DC, on Mon 13 Apr 5:55PM

  10. you see, its people who pretend that they are­ 'Lewis Hamilton' that have no decency what so­ ever! Those people need to grow up, this story has­ nothing to do with Lewis so why bring him into this?­ those people that did must either be really bored with­ their lives or are just trying to **** everyone else­ off becuase they are too fugly to get laid.

    From chris.iremonger, on Mon 13 Apr 5:42PM
  11. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Im Sorry Dave and im sorry judge, my Cheating­ got­­­­­­­ Dave­­ fired after 35­­­ years­ service, i­ will­­ Quit­­­­ if­ they­­ give you your job­­­ back,­ i­­­ think­­­­ that's­ what i­­ should do, i will­ be­­­­ a­ man­­­­­ about this and­ Quit an­­ once...

    From DC, on Mon 13 Apr 5:30PM

  12. Sorry Jessica - you're no supermodel.

    From JohnF, on Mon 13 Apr 5:16PM

  13. 58 year old drunk guy vs. 28 year old ultrafit racecar­ driver.... Don't make me laugh.

    From Mr. Cheesey Fries Pease, on Mon 13 Apr 4:40PM

  14. branson has more money than anyone on the grid why did­ he bother getting into a pissing match with Button? ­ They had best put this behind them.

    From ericmueller1971, on Mon 13 Apr 4:24PM

  15. Formula One has become an Ealing Commedy :-)

    From art_tidesco, on Mon 13 Apr 3:57PM

  16. Jenson needs to tell Branson who the star is, cos it­ seems Richard has just turned up and expects to be the­ king of the jungle! Jenson did well to put him in his­ place, and no doubt Richard will think twice before­ trying that one again! It's also a warning to all­ the other drivers out there........this season, Jenson­ means business!!

    From Tom, on Mon 13 Apr 3:42PM

  17. button should have knocked him out. That would have­ been a worthy new artical.

    From Tim B, on Mon 13 Apr 3:29PM
  18. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    JELLOUS RACIS IDIOT

    From LEEROY, on Mon 13 Apr 2:57PM
  19. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Im Sorry Dave and im sorry judge, my Cheating got­­­­­­­ Dave­­ fired after 35­­­ years­ service, i will­­ Quit­­­­ if­ they­­ give you your job­­­ back, i­­­ think­­­­ that's­ what i­­ should do, i will be­­­­ a­ man­­­­­ about this and­ Quit an­­ once...

    From DC, on Mon 13 Apr 2:18PM
  20. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    Looks like it's just you and me Jon (fake lewis)

    From DC, on Mon 13 Apr 12:39PM
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