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Flexi tests affected Red Bull - Button

Jenson Button thinks the more stringent flexi tests have affected Red Bull's pace © Getty Images

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According to Jenson Button, the more stringent bodywork flexibility tests enforced by the FIA have had an adverse affect on rival team Red Bull's competitiveness.

Button was taken out by Sebastian Vettel on lap 16 of the Belgian Grand Prix as team-mate Lewis Hamilton went on to take a dominant victory. And although Mark Webber took second place after starting from pole, the Australian was fortunate to benefit from the retirements of Button and Vettel as well as a mistake from Renault's Robert Kubica.

Although Red Bull claimed that the medium to low downforce nature of the Spa Francorchamps circuit simply did not suit the RB6, Button suspects Adrian Newey had to modify the car to meet more stringent bodywork flexibility tests.

"I think Red Bull's pace was affected by the new tests," said Button. "I hope the new even more stringent tests for Monza will have even more of an effect. They say they won't have to change anything but they said that here. Watching the car here on the track it was not flexing as much."

Webber suggested that it may not be too long before Red Bull has to put their weight behind his title charge instead of Vettel. But Button is not of that opinion.

"I don't think they will. I think they love Vettel," he added.

© ESPN EMEA Ltd.

Feeds: ESPNF1 Staff

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