He later issued a letter of clarification stating that "all political parties were concerned with the potential political advantage" - a move described as "bizarre" by Scotland's deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
It was a huge breakthrough for the fifth seed and he took full advantage by firing down an ace on his second set point to move into the lead for the first time.
Then, in the decisive moment of the race, Button was able to take advantage of a mistake by Hamilton at the end of the first lap to pass the McLaren impressively and move into third place at Turn One on the second lap.