Button relieved to hear from girlfriend through Twitter

Updated on: 13 March,2011 08:47 AM IST |
PA Sport |

Formula One star Jensen Button finally gets in touch with model girlfriend Jessica Michibata (left) in earthquake-hit Japan, through Twitter

Formula One star Jensen Button finally gets in touch with model girlfriend Jessica Michibata in earthquake-hit Japan, through Twitter

Jessica Michibata

The worst earthquake to hit Japan for 140 years, with a magnitude of 8.9 and sparking a massive tsunami, is expected to see a death toll of over 1,000 according to the Kyodo news agency.

It meant Button's final day of testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya ahead of the new Formula One season effectively paled into insignificance for the 2009 world champion.

As news of the devastation broke, Button found himself unable to contact girlfriend Jessica Michibata, who was doing a photoshoot in Japan's capital city when it was severely rocked by the quake.

It was only much later on in the day that Button finally learned the 26-year-old Japanese/Argentine was safe.
Asked if he had received news from Michibata before he got into the car, Button replied: "No, no. I couldn't speak to the missus, to Jessie, because the phone lines weren't working in Japan.

"So halfway through the day, the only way I could get in touch with her really was through Twitter. I found out that she was okay.

"She then sent me a text saying 'How's testing going?' It was like 'Honey, that's not really the most important thing at the moment. How are you? How are you feeling?'

"She's fine, very shaken. She was in Tokyo doing a photoshoot in a studio underground so it was pretty horrific. I think the whole of Tokyo was pretty shaken.

"Hopefully she's fast asleep now. I'll see her on Sunday evening or Monday in Australia."

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