Canada: Button facing a bit of a challenge

By Phil Huff
June 8 2005

Jenson Button arrives at Montreal looking for that elusive first win with BAR Honda, but he's not overflowing with confidence before the event.

"The circuit is a very stop-start type of track which doesn't really flow very much at all," says Button. "The circuit has been resurfaced, so it's going to be a bit of a challenge for the teams and tyre manufacturers to choose the right tyres for the race."

Pierre Dupasquier, Motorsport Director at BAR Honda's tyre supplier Michelin, is wary of the new track surface, saying "It has yet to be tested by any racing cars. It is likely that track conditions will evolve significantly throughout the weekend, largely due to the chemical reactions that are an unpredictable by-product of any freshly-laid surface."

There is some cheer, however, as Button comments that "there are some reasonably good overtaking opportunities and so the drivers and the fans should be able to look forward to a great race.

"We ran quite well there last year, finishing in fourth, so we are hoping for an improvement in our performance this week."

Jenson finished the last Canadian Grand Prix in fourth place, but was promoted to the podium following the disqualification of both Toyota and Williams for brake duct irregularities.

If things don't go too well on the circuit, at least the city is only a short taxi ride away. "Montreal is a great place to visit," adds Button. "The city is beautiful and there are some great places to visit.

"It's always one of my favourite pitstops on the calendar."