Jenson Button relaxes with girlfriend Brittny Ward by the sea as she says spending time with F1 star is 'best medicine for jet lag'

McLaren driver Jenson Button been taking some time to cool down following a hectic start to the 2016 Formula One Championship.

The 2009 World Champion kicked off his campaign with a 14th-place finish in Sunday's season opening Australian Grand Prix.

And the 36-year-old has been relaxing with new girlfriend Brittny Ward in the wake of what was an incident-packed weekend.

Brittny Ward took to Instagram to share an intimate snap of herself and boyfriend Jenson Button on the beach

The couple went public with their relationship earlier this month, shortly after Button ended his marriage

Ward, a model, former UFC Octagon girl and Playboy's Miss January 2015 took to Instagram to share an intimate snap of herself and the Englishman enjoying some time on the beach with the caption 'the best medicine for jet lag'.

The couple only went public with their relationship earlier this month, shortly after Button ended his one-year marriage to model wife Jessica Michibata.

His latest flame is a self-confessed wild child and thrill-seeker - who decided to mark her adventurous streak by getting the words 'strong willed' tattooed on her neck.

The F1 favourite isn't the only famous face the model has dated, having previously been with Twilight actor Kellan Lutz.

McLaren Honda's British driver Jenson Button drives during the F1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne

Button has given his thoughts on the horrific collision between Fernando Alonso and Esteban Gutierrez

Button believes F1's controversial halo device would helped team-mate Fernando Alonso (left) in his crash

German Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari tests the so-called 'halo' cockpit protection device

Button has been giving his thoughts on the major talking point from Sunday's race, that being the horrific collision between McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso and Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez during lap 18. 

Thankfully both men escaped the spectacular crash unhurt and Button believes F1's controversial halo device would helped Alonso, who has been described by some as the 'luckiest man alive'.

The Brit told the reporters that the halo concept, designed to shield a driver's head from flying debris, 'would have helped him... he would have had less impact on his helmet...The halo is the right direction and we need it.'

The F1 season picks up again in Bahrain on April 3rd.

Fernando Alonso of McLaren climbs out of his car after crashing out of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix

Alonso gives the crowd the thumbs-up after crashing with Haas F1 Team's Brazilian driver Esteban Gutierrez