By Phil Huff
March 11 2006

Jenson Button's third place in qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix means the Honda Racing F1 driver had to sit through the Fastest Three press conference. Here's what he had to say. Jenson, you've been looking strong all winter and strong now: P3.

Yeah, it's quite interesting, the new qualifying system. I'm sure for the spectators and it is for us. It's always go, you're always doing something and it turned out reasonably well for us. It's quite difficult to get clean runs, especially in the last session which I think we all struggled to do a little bit, but I think that our strategy was very good in doing two sets of new tyres and yeah, it's good to be in the top three and hopefully we can improve on this tomorrow.

What were the conditions actually like in that traffic period at the end, and also given the wind conditions today?

It was pretty difficult out there today with the wind. It's coming from a completely different direction from yesterday. There's a lot of sand on the circuit, so it's very difficult to be consistent and when you're trying to do a fast lap on the edge, it's tough. But that's what it's all about, and it's great to be third. It's been a tough winter, very very long but very good for us and I think we will show that tomorrow.

Oobviously happy to be in the top three, but disappointed not to be on the front row?

Yeah, I think that's the same for everyone who isn't on the front row. We all want to be on the front row and spearheading the grid tomorrow afternoon. But third place was good. I'm reasonably happy with that and it was good, I thought it was very exciting. I'm sure it was the same for all the fans out there watching, because it was non-stop for me. I was in and out of the garage, especially with Raikkonen's problem in the first session. It made it a very busy session, but it was good fun and it's nice to be up here in third position and it's just the normal thing which is the same for everyone: if the traffic is an issue, and it always has been with this sort of system but that's something we've got to sort out ourselves.

But it's good to have the traffic back again!

Yeah, I think so. It's great having runs and having to do them at certain times during the hour. I think that does make it extra exciting and we have to be out on the circuit to do the times and I think that's great, it's good for the fans and I'm sure it's going to make for some upsets this season and for some very different grids, I think.

Interesting to see that amongst the three of you, you're from two teams that tested here before. Do you think that was significant?

It might be. We have the experience on the tyres here and all the other teams don't. I think these two (Schumacher and Massa) probably had the best experience; they were here for nine days but also the weather was very up and down while we were here and it seems to be very different here for the race. It's very windy and there was a lot of sand on the circuit which makes it difficult to drive and I think that adds a little bit of excitement to it as well, trying to keep the car in a straight line on the straight. But yes, it's great that we've got a good position here for tomorrow and hopefully we can gain those two positions tomorrow.

Would you like to have changed more in qualifying?

No, not really. I think we had a good balance and in these conditions it's difficult because in some places, you've got quite a bit of understeer, in some places you've got quite a bit of oversteer. It matters which direction the wind is. I think we pretty much got the maximum out of the car, it was just getting the maximum out of the circuit, more than anything else.

In the past few years, it's fair to say a victory would have been a bonus. Is there a new mentality in the team now? If you don't win this year, will it be a failure?

I think we'd be very disappointed if we don't get a win this year, but whatever we feel at the end of the season or next year, we're just concentrating on the moment we have a good package and had a fantastic winter and we're just looking forward to tomorrow. If we don't get that win that we're looking for then so be it. We'll be back out challenging again in Malaysia next weekend.

How do you find the challenge now with the Ferraris on pole?

It's obviously very good for them, and not so good for us. They look very strong but we still don't know what people are doing with fuel loads or anything. Tomorrow is the day that counts.

In your running, you've come up against two cars running different engines to the rest of you. What are your opinions on the performance of those two cars?

Well, they're supposed to have more horsepower and that's about it really. I haven't been behind a Toro Rosso this weekend so I don't know how quick they are in the straights, but they're supposed to be more powerful than any of the V8 cars.

How do you rate this circuit and how did you find the hospitality?

This is a circuit I enjoy. It's had some great racing over the last few years, and also for me, it's a great place to start the season. The hospitality is fantastic, we've been welcomed here with open arms and put on a great show, so yes, I'm really happy with the way things have gone this weekend and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to the race tomorrow.

The grid off-line is quite dirty compared to other circuits so how will that affect your starts?

I'm on clean side so I'm okay.

How enjoyable was qualifying, trying to find the best lap in traffic?

It was a lot of fun, I enjoyed it. It was weird seeing other cars on the track, but getting out on the track when it's dirty is an experience. I know how the Minardi guys felt last year. I think it will work with the fans and with us.

You said you like flowing tracks, but this is stop-start. Do you like it here? Also, as a new home-owner, does it change things? Will we be seeing more of you?

Hopefully. It's not built yet but hopefully I'll be coming out. It's a great way to relax and it's not too far from Europe as well. The track, well, we've had some good races here and for me that makes it a good racetrack. We're able to overtake and race against each other.