Button storms in at Sepang

...when the chaotic Malaysian Grand Prix was abandoned as a ferocious storm lashed the Sepang circuit.

Nick Heidfeld was second in his BMW Sauber, benefiting from pitting only once to Button's four times in a race that became a lottery.

The race was finally halted after 32 laps as rain pelted down, lightning flashed around the circuit and visibility deteriorated. Not since Brazil in 2003 has a race has been called off because of weather.

Formula One bosses must take some of the blame after pushing for a 5pm start instead of the regular 3pm slot to satisfy European television audiences.

Drivers and constructors get only half the usual number of points because the race was halted at less than three-quarter distance.

Tropical Malaysia routinely gets wild storms, and it was clear that if one hit during the 56-lap race, it would be difficult to finish with daylight disappearing.

Toyota's Jarno Trulli came fourth and Rubens Barrichello in the other Brawn was fifth ahead of Webber.

World champion Lewis Hamilton picked up valuable points by coming seventh, with Nico Rosberg filling out the top eight.

As black clouds threatened rain, the race got off to a sensational start with pole-sitter Button half-asleep when the lights turned green.

The Briton, who won last week in Melbourne, went to the first corner fourth behind Rosberg, Trulli and Fernando Alonso.

Undeterred, Button sped past Alonso before the opening lap was over and started closing on the leaders.

Barrichello, who started ninth with a five-place grid penalty for changing his gearbox, stormed up to fourth and the top four started to pull away.

By lap eight, they had a 13-second gap on fifth-placed Alonso, clearly benefiting from their controversial rear diffusers.

Only Williams, Toyota and Brawn have them fitted and they have been the subject of protests by BMW Sauber, Ferrari, Renault and Red Bull.