Champ Button reiterates quit threat

Just six weeks ago Button said that he "wouldn't be interested in racing in F1" if he knew that there was the possibility of becoming a number two driver.

The reigning champion's remark was aired in the days that followed the controversy that surrounded Ferrari and their manipulation of the result of the German Grand Prix on July 25.

Via coded radio messages Felipe Massa allowed team-mate Fernando Alonso to claim the lead, and ultimately the victory.

The stewards, however, saw through Ferrari's scheming and fined the team $100,000 (£65,000) for implementing team orders.

On Wednesday the World Motor Sport Council found Ferrari guilty of breaking the rules and bringing the sport into disrepute, only to escape further punishment due to the ambiguities of the regulation.

It is a rule that has now been referred to Formula One's Sporting Working Group for review, with every likelihood it will be axed.

That will allow teams to manufacture results as they see fit, and that is a sport Button does not want to be part of.

"It will definitely shorten my career in Formula One," confirmed Button speaking before tomorrow's Italian Grand Prix.

"I don't understand it really. Since I've raced in Formula One, team orders haven't helped or hindered me.

"I don't know if it will ever happen, but if the regulation changes so you can have team orders it will be very strange. It does change Formula One.

"We'll have to wait and see, but for me the drivers' championship is the drivers' championship."

Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel set the pace in practice at Monza, pipping Ferrari's Fernando Alonso by 0.076 seconds.

Alonso's team-mate Felipe Massa was third, with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Button fourth and fifth.

Red Bull's Mark Webber finished in sixth.