USA: Jenson Button in the Fastest Three

By Phil Huff
June 19 2005

Getting back to what was normal last season, Lucky Strike BAR Honda's Jenson Button sat in on the Fastest Three press conference today for the second race in succession.

Jenson, pole in Canada and now top three at Indianapolis.

Yes, it's nice to get two good qualifyings on the trot but it wasn't the best lap really. I struggled a lot with very low grip so it's great to be third and I think we can do great things from here.

You sound as though you're surprised therefore to be third.

Well, I was during the lap because it wasn't a great lap, just very low grip, but it was obviously the same for everyone out there, so yes, it's nice to be here and I think we can do some good things tomorrow. Our strategy is a good one. I'm looking forward to it.

We know they've kept the same Honda engines in since Canada but again, it doesn't look as though your top speed is absolutely brilliant here.

No. We're not up there on the straights so it just means we've got to get a good start and pull away from everyone really.

You went relatively early. Was that a disadvantage?

It's always going to be a disadvantage, but it's not six tenths. I felt I had very low grip out there so I was slightly disappointed by the lap but I ended up P3 so that's not bad.

So you are pretty happy with that?

Yeah, reasonably happy. We were quick in the fourth practice session and it is nice to be back up there in qualifying again. We know that the pace of the car is good here and also our race pace is very good as well.

How do you see the tyre situation? Is it a calculated risk for you drivers?

There are a lot of talks that need to be made this evening between all the teams and all the drivers and Michelin. At the moment and going into qualifying we just need to be looking forward to the race and being very positive that we will race tomorrow and I am hoping that there are not going to be any issues and we can go out there and have a good race.

You haven't had any indication of any problems with the BAR-Hondas at all?

No.

I know Gil de Ferran has only been with the team a couple of months but how much use has it been bringing him on board to be in charge of things.

I have been asked a lot about Gil, especially this weekend, and he is going to get a big head if I keep talking about him because he has done a great job. It is not easy coming into Formula One in his position and getting straight on with it, but he has done a great job, he has worked with the drivers closely, relaying information to the team, he has fitted in very well and it is important for us to have him on board.