Jenson Button has been branded "an idiot" and "crazy" by Jarno Trulli following their second on-track showdown in the last three races.

Britain's boy wonder whose management team is based in Southampton, came under fire from the Jordan driver following yesterday's United States Grand Prix in which Michael Schumacher claimed the 42nd victory of his career.

Trulli was left fuming with Button following their second lap shunt at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, just four weeks after their argy-bargy at the Belgian Grand Prix when Button took Trulli out of that race as he attempted a no-way-through overtaking manoeuvre in his Williams.

Trulli was again the victim of another Button move at Indianaplis yesterday, on this occasion on the tight infield section of the newly-built £35million circuit. In touching wheels, both drivers suffered punctures, with first Button and then Trulli taking to the grass before making early and unscheduled pit stops and forcing them down the field.

Both later retired through mechanical failure, with Trulli fuming as he said: "Jenson Button is really an idiot at the moment. He is driving like a crazy man. He was pushing me hard and he tried to outbrake me, but it was too late. He then collided with me and we went off. It's not the first time he's done that, and I think he needs to cool down because it can get very dangerous."

Trulli has vowed to have words with Button, who refused to be drawn into a slanging match, although the young star feels the 26-year-old should take his share of the blame.

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