Italy: Button and Sato thrilled with second row

By Phil Huff
September 3 2005

BAR Honda drivers Jenson Button and Takuma Sato will line up for tomorrows Italian Grand Prix in third and fourth on the grid, following an impressive display from both drivers in today's qualifying session.

Takuma Sato went out first, committing fully to the lap and extracting as much pace from the BAR Honda 007 as he could, considering the aerodynamic disadvantage the car has against the front runners.

Takuma initially took the provisional pole position, although that was eventually bettered by Jenson, the McLaren drivers and Renault's Fernando Alonso. Kimi Raikkonen had an engine change before qualifying so, despite setting the fastest time, will start in 11th place.

"I really enjoyed the lap," said Takuma Sato. "We did a lot of testing last week indicating we have a good strong package for the long distances, and this morning we showed some speed which was really a relief.

"Hopefully we can have a really strong race tomorrow."

Team mate Jenson Button went just 0.1 seconds faster over the 3.6 mile Monza circuit, setting the fourth fastest time, although Raikkonen's engine problems propels Jenson to third on the grid.

It's been a difficult weekend for Jenson so far, with no running in the first practice session, before ending up a long way off the pace later in the day. It's all come good for qualifying, though.

"I'm very happy with that as it's been a tough weekend for me," said Jenson Button. "I'm struggling a little bit for some reason.

"With Kimi ten places back it helps us a little bit but even so I think he can still come through from 11th on the grid. It's just nice to be near to the front and hopefully if we have a reasonably good strategy we can keep it there."