Formula 1 champion Jenson Button has praised the quick actions of his police driver after gunmen threatened him in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Button called him a "legend" for fleeing through traffic after six men brandishing machine guns approached.

Button, his father, manager and trainer, who all escaped unharmed, had just finished practice for Sunday Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

Brazil's major cities have a bad record for serious crimes of violence.

BBC Formula 1 commentator David Croft said the reigning world champion, who will start 11th on the grid on Sunday, reported seeing the men carrying machine guns approach his car.

Our correspondent said: "As soon as he mentioned this to his driver, he fled from the scene, forcing his way through the busy traffic.

Button, 30, who was in the reinforced armoured vehicle provided by McLaren with his father John, his manager Richard Goddard, trainer Mike Collier, had been returning to his hotel on Saturday.

somehow doubt they were machineguns

In Sao paolo I wouldn't be certain. There is a hell of a lot of armed gang violence there. Including kids as young as 10 using machine guns.