Bahrain: Another podium finish for Jenson

Jenson in Bahrain
By Phil Huff (04/04/2004)
April 4 2004

Another race, another podium. It says a lot about the changes within Lucky Strike BAR Honda that they are now expecting these results, rather than just hoping for them. With Jenson Button and Takuma Sato, the team has two top quality drivers, both with enormous potential for the future.

After four years waiting, Jenson finally got his podium in Malaysia, only to repeat that this weekend in Bahrain. Even allowing for Montoya's problems towards the end, who would have bet against him making his way past?

An intelligent race from Button, who slipped back at the start but avoided any trouble. Despite some pit stop problems, he gradually made his way through the field to secure his second podium finish, and another six points.

Takuma started well, passing his more experienced team mate, before coming together with Ralf Schumacher. The Williams driver closed a gap without thought as to where Takuma was, slowing Takuma for a while. Running wide a little later destroyed the front wing, but the Japanese driver fought back to show why he's worth a place at BAR.

A fifth place finish is a good reward, considering the problems.

The results now put Jenson third in the drivers championship, and BAR joint third (with Williams) in the constructors championship.