Monaco: Button in P2 after first practice session

P2 for Button
By Phil Huff (29/05/2003)
May 29 2003

Eager beaver Kimi Raikkonen was first on track for today's one-hour free practice session at Monaco, followed by de Matta, Heidfeld, Schumacher, Frentzen, Panis, Ralf, Barrichello, Montoya and Coulthard.

Twenty minutes into the session and both Lucky Strike BAR Honda drivers had completed 11 laps, but were stuck firmly in the wrong half of the grid, with Villeneuve in 13th, and Button two places back in 15th.

Ten minutes later and Jenson sets a time that catapults him to fourth, behind Alonso, Michael Schumacher, and Fisichella.

Then, at the 45 minute stage, Alonso and Button take to the track at the same time. Alonso sets one fastest sector time, but so does Button. His lap is good enough for second place, right behind the quick Spaniard.

As if inspired by Button, Villeneuve then takes his BAR005 out onto the circuit and sets his quickest time of the day, but it's only good enough for ninth.

In the last minutes Button goes out once more, and sets the fastest first sector time of the day. He struggles a bit through the second sector, but a strong third sector sees him take the top slot with the fastest time so far, 1:16.476.

It doesn't last long though, as Mark Webber performs one of his 'special' laps to take that place from Jenson. How a Jaguar manages a 1:16.373 I don't know, but things still look encouraging for BAR.