Button, who qualified a lowly 21st for the second time in a row today, sustained the injury to his right shoulder in the second race in Malaysia last month.

‘‘We will consider all the options after seeing how Jenson is after this race,’’ said David Robertson, one of Button’s managers.

‘‘If it is in his long-term interests to miss the race in Austria to give him more time to recover from the shoulder injury then that is what we will do.

‘‘Jenson’s health is the most important thing. We have to take a long-term view, not the short one.’’

Benetton’s Australian test driver Mark Webber, who was seventh in the F3000 race in Spain today, looks the most likely replacement should Button stand down.

The team did consider the possibility of pulling Button out of this weekend’s grand prix but decided against it.

He had treatment on the shoulder at a London clinic a couple of days after the last race in Italy two weeks ago.

But the localised cortisone injection is believed not to have been in the exact area of pain.

‘‘I do not know what caused it but it has been niggling me since Malaysia,’’ said Button, in the first of a two-year loan deal with Benetton after making his debut for Williams last year.

‘‘I did not test after Imola and have had a couple of weeks off which has helped.’’

Button’s cause has not been helped by the fact that the Benetton car does not have power steering.

The Frome-based racer’s disappointing start to his career with Benetton continued as he equalled the worst qualifying performance of his career.

Button was 21st in Imola and on his grand prix debut with Williams in Australia last year.

‘‘I’m disappointed. Starting from where I am will make tomorrow’s race very difficult,’’ said Button, whose team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella was 19th fastest.

‘‘My main task now is to bring the car home and gather as much information as possible so that we can learn for the future.’’