McLaren driver Jenson Button has admitted that Sebastian Vettel's comments that he would ignore Red Bull orders again to win a Grand Prix "surprised" him.

Vettel's teammate Mark Webber has admitted that his relationship with the German has been "strained" by the issue and Button said that it is too soon for Red Bull to be giving such orders.

"Lots of people have won world championships without being like that," Autosport quotes Button as saying. "I'm surprised he said that, personally.

"He's such a talented driver and he seems like a driver that the team love. They should, he's very successful. He seems like an easygoing character. It's surprising for him to say that.

"I do not like team orders and I've said that before. However, they're legal and we're allowed to have team orders."

It is unknown whether the two drivers will still be teammates next season.