By Phil Huff
March 17 2006

Honda Racing F1's Jenson Button took part in the drivers press conference yesterday, and had to sit through the same old questions from the obviously tired journalists. Here's what he had to say. Jenson, there was a slight tinge of disappointment with third on the grid in Bahrain; what about fourth in the race?

Well, if you look at the end result, you would say that fourth place isn't great, looking at our performance in testing, but if you take the start into account, I think it was a reasonable race for us. And also our lap times were very comparable to the front cars but I lost a lot of places off the line. I actually went back to ninth place from third so yes, it was very disappointing. If you have any sort of issue these days, with how competitive the field is, you have no chance of getting on the podium, let alone winning a race.

On the other hand, Raikkonen came up from last...

Yeah, but he was on a one-stop strategy, whereas our strategy was to be qualified in the front and because we dropped back to ninth at the start, we lost a lot of circuit positions. But also, when I came out after my first stop I was in traffic whereas if I was up at the front where I should have been, I wouldn't have been stuck in that traffic and our strategy would have worked very very well. Fair enough, Raikkonen came from last and finished third, but he did a one stop strategy and that's what works from where he was on the grid and you have to take all of that into account.

Do you think this will be a more level playing field given that nobody has tested here whereas some had tested at Bahrain?

We'll have to wait and see. I think we're going to see the same cars that were competitive in Bahrain competitive here and it's going to be a great time. There are a lot of quick cars out there but we have just got to do a faultless weekend and then we will see what our results are but I'm happy with the feeling of the car and the confidence I have in the car and also the confidence within the team, so I'm in a good position at the moment.

And looking back, did you basically enjoy the new qualifying format?

Yeah I did. I think having Kimi's problem in the first qualifying made everyone a bit nervous that they weren't going to get a lap in but I think the system is good and I think the view is fine but my mum was a bit nervous at home. Apart from that I think everyone enjoyed the new format, so I think it's a step forward.

Talking about the heat, could you explain a little what it is like out there in the car and when you come into the pits?

It is very tough because even on the straights it is difficult to breathe and because it is so humid here and when you are trying to get some proper air into your lungs it is difficult. It is really, really hot air.

Have you planned for drinks in the car?

We've got more than theirs [BMW-Sauber's 500ml]. We've got a litre.

Just to follow up on that, last year Alonso and I believe Heidfeld went the whole race without drinking anything so it is possible, but how hard would it be to do a race without liquids?

I know he won the race, but he didn't do too good, did he, after the race? You definitely need liquids in the race and before the race, too. I normally drink about five litres in the morning before the race. It makes a massive difference. I didn't have a drink here a couple of years ago and I was so dehydrated that I was shivering and getting cold in the car and then you start to lose your eyesight. It is much better to be hydrated.

Six years in F1. No wins yet. You got a great car this year and after the first race what do you think of your chances for this year in terms of the championship?

The same as I thought going into Bahrain. We have got a car that is capable of winning and a team that is capable of winning. So the same. It wasn't a perfect race for us for the reasons I have given already and there is a lot of competition as always in Formula One, but we are in a good position here because we have got a great car, a reliable car – most of the time – and so, yeah, we are looking forward to this race and the rest of the season. We know it is not going to be easy, but it never is.

Do you think you will break your duck this year?

That's my aim. Yes, as I just said. I think we have got a winning car and if I can't win in it then that's an issue obviously.

Last year it was no question for you to go to the Williams team. Did you revise a little bit your opinion after the winter testing and their first Grand Prix?

I am with Honda this year. They have done a good job and seemed to go well last weekend. But that is one race. We have to see what happens the rest of the season.