Britain: Jenson Button talks to the media

By Phil Huff
July 7 2005

Lucky Strike BAR Honda's Jenson Button took part in the Thursday Drivers' Press Conference today, talking about his season so far, tyres, Max, and avoiding questions about his future with the team.

Jenson, was there a bit of relief after last weekend?

Yeah, there was. It hasn't been the easiest year for us and it was nice to actually show our pace. We are not on the same pace as the McLarens or the Renaults, but I think it was nice to show that we're reasonably competitive and to get something back after the whole team, for me doing a great job this year in difficult circumstances. It was nice to finish fourth, just a pity we were so far from the Renaults.

We keep hearing, perhaps unofficially, that you're really going to be performing well for the rest of the year and then you come here and say 'well, actually we don't think we're going to be all that competitive here at Silverstone.'

I don't think anyone's got a chance compared to the McLarens here, from what we've seen of testing. But I think that we can still have a good race. I think we will probably be a bit closer to the Renaults here and Ferrari will be very good competition and you never know what's going to happen with Red Bull and Williams. It's going to be a competitive race, and I'm sure we can put on a very good show, but it's just what the end result is.

So your money is on McLaren.

Definitely. They are going to walk it, I think. I don't really want to say that but I think it's true.

How does it feel to start a weekend on a day like this, with all the events in London?

I think I speak on behalf of everyone involved in Formula One, that we are obviously deeply shocked and saddened by what has happened in London today. My heart goes out to all the victims and the victims' families that have been involved. It is obviously a difficult way to start the weekend for everyone, but we are going to try to put the best show on we can for the fans in the situation we have.

Did you have any problems coming here today?

I stayed here last night.

Last year you had such a good season, so this year must be a horror. How have your feelings been this year?

It's obviously been a tough year, not just for myself but for everyone in the team, but the good thing is that I am with a very strong team in Formula One and I think they are going to go on and achieve a lot in the future. So it is not such a big issue, and I think if I was with a team that would not achieve whatever they do, it would be a lot more difficult. It has also not been just one issue why we haven't scored any points this year. We were unreliable at the start of the season, which we solved, the problems, then we got disqualified from three races, and obviously Indy, and Montreal I put it in the wall, so all our bad luck and our mistakes have come at once. The biggest thing, as I said, is that we are a very strong team and we will turn it around. I am not saying we will be winning races in the near future, but we will close the gap to the top teams.

If you said you are going to have success with this team in the future, it means you are staying…

No, no, I said the team will have success in the future.

As far as we know, your teams don't want to see Max Mosley re-elected as FIA president next October. What is your opinion?

It is very difficult to comment on, but I think it needs to be, um, yeah, not much to say really. I think it is more for the team principals to comment on that subject. I am sure they all have slightly different views, but it is something for the future.

Just another offshoot from Indy was the apparent thought that the FIA and team owners are now getting together to try and have one tyre supplier next season. What do you think about having a single tyre, a rock hard tyre, that is a control tyre for everyone?

I think it is going to help Ferrari, because I think the Michelin is a superior tyre.

If Ferrari were on Michelins now, where would they be?

I think they would be more competitive.

Any other thoughts on that?

If slowing down cars is the aim it is definitely the best way if it is just one tyre company with a controlled tyre.