Jenson Button would have arrived at his home race believing his disastrous season could not get any worse - but it turns out it can.
Button's 16th, and potentially final British Grand Prix, lasted just two corners. His race was over inside 20 seconds.
The 2009 world champion, out of contract at the end of the season, has now endured a hat-trick of consecutive retirements. Not since 2002 has he failed to finish three straight races.
"I am disappointed obviously," said Button. "In front of your home crowd you want to put on a good show and I wasn't able to do that."
Button was the innocent victim in a pile-up through turn three. As Fernando Alonso attempted to avoid the colliding Lotus pair of Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado, he inadvertently took his team-mate out of the race.
"We found ourselves in a tricky situation," said Button. "Fernando was trying to miss the incident and he lost the rear and the front wheel caught my rear wheel, jumped in the air and then the engine turned off."
Button, who started a lowly 18th, added: "These things happen when you are so far back so we need to qualify better."
The 35-year-old will host his annual triathlon in Derby next weekend before returning to the track for the Hungarian Grand Prix at the end of the month.
Despite his awful run, Button, who has finished in the points on just one occasion this season - an eighth place in Monaco - said there was cause for optimism despite being embroiled in the worst season of his grand prix career.
"I am still racing a Formula One car and you are optimistic every time you get in the car that it is going to improve," he said.
"We have had a couple of really bad races but I am still optimistic the next race will be a good step forward. We think the car will work better in Hungary so we are hoping for a better race there."
While Button's race was over before it started, Alonso, who took on a new front wing following the collision, finished in 10th to claim his first point of the season.
"I'm not happy but it is the first point of many I hope, and it is good to have some points on the table for the mechanics and the team", said Alonso.
"They have been working day and night to improve the car. We know there is not a magic solution from one weekend to the other, but slowly we are getting there."
On his collision with Button, Alonso added: " It was an unbelievable start.
"The Lotus drivers were far too aggressive fighting each other and braking super late. They touch each other and to avoid them I have half a spin and I touch Jenson.
"One McLaren out, both Lotuses out, so definitely not common sense."
The incident was referred to the stewards who opted to take no further action.
Source: PA
