Suzuka, Japan - Jenson Button's hopes of being crowned world champion on Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix suffered a set-back Saturday as race stewards gave him a five-place penalty for not slowing down during a yellow flag phase during qualifying. The Brawn GP driver, who will have to start Sunday's race in 12th place, was one of five drivers who was penalized.
Button's team-mate Rubens Barrichello, who is his main title rival, was also penalized with a five-place penalty, as was Force India's Adrian Sutil, Renault's Fernando Alonso and Red Bull's Sebastien Buemi.
With just three races of the season remaining, Button leads the standings' with 84 points from Barrichello, who is on 69 points. Sebastian Vettel, who is on pole for Sunday's race, is third on 59 points.
If Button finishes the race with five more points than Barrichello, he would be crowned world champion on Sunday.
