Japan: Jenson speaks up at Suzuka

By Phil Huff (09/10/2003)
October 10 2003

The FIA's Driver's press conference took place at Suzuka this morning, and Lucky Strike BAR Honda star driver Jenson Button was in attendance. Here's what he had to say...

Jenson, I believe you've been here for a little while, three days of promotions. Tell us the high spots of those promotions?

I've been here for three days doing stuff with BAT and also with Honda. I went to Tochigi, R&D, which was quite good fun, where there is the longest corridor I have ever seen in my life. It was good, it was good to meet everyone and good to see what they've got for the future.

I hear you had quite a good reception from about 6,000 engineers?

Yeah. The corridor must be about 500 meters long and it's just crazy, people clapping and waving flags. It's very unusual for us, but it was a nice feeling and I think it was for everyone there also.

Now you had a bit of a problem while leading at Indianapolis, with an engine failure. I believe there's another step forwards here. Did they reassure you that you wouldn't have the same problem here as at Indy?

The important thing is the step forward, not just in speed but in reliability, that's the main issue. But that's something that they have been working on very hard and I think they've sorted that problem out.

Of course the other thing is that we've just heard that your former teammate, Jacques Villeneuve, is not going to be driving this weekend, but instead you've got Takuma Sato lining up with you. You've got to defend the team's fifth place in the championship, which is very very close as well, so how do you see the weekend coming up?

Very tough. Hopefully Takuma is going to do a good job and I think he will. Hopefully the pressure won't get to him, but I think it's a strong team. I think we've got a good car for here, hopefully the reliability will be good, and I think we've just got to wait and see.

You become team leader for this weekend and next year; does that change anything?

I'm not sure about team leader, but I'm very happy and what's happening with the car over the winter is very interesting for next season.

Any thoughts on JV's leaving?

It's disappointing that he wasn't here for his final race. Things change. He's been there for five years, he's had a very up-and-down time, but it's disappointing to see him leave Formula One.

Which car out of Williams, McLaren and Ferrari is the better at this circuit?

They're all great.

What do you think of the circuit changes?

I had a look at 130R and it is not 130R any more but it looks good. It looks quite easy, which is a good thing because I think you can sit closer coming into the chicane. But they have made the chicane not quite as tight and I think it is easy to block, so I think you will be seeing less overtaking.

Does this year's format need changing?

Friday doesn't really mean too much, does it? But then again, you don't really know who's quick and who's not on Saturday, so it's very very difficult for the watching public to understand why a certain car is further back or further forward than it should be. I think a change next year could liven things up even more.

[A final question was put to Michael Schumacher]

Michael, you've had so many adversaries come and go. It's been a long time since you have had to race Jacques, but your thoughts on him as a competitor?

MS: I think he was quite strong, in particular in the last races when the conditions were clear. He was very strong. He was obviously still adapting, that there were certain moments when he wasn't yet fully into the system of Formula One, but whenever he was, he was going very well.