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Button believes San Marino could mark a change

Jenson Button believes that San Marino GP will mark a change in BAR-Honda's fortunes after he finished second in practice

Published on: Apr 23, 2005, 13:11:00 IST
PTI | By , Imola
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Jenson Button believes that Sunday's San Marino Grand Prix will mark a change in BAR-Honda's fortunes after the Briton finished second in practice on Friday.

HT Image
HT Image

The team have been disappointing this season and have failed to complete any of the three races so far but received a boost after Button finished behind Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa's McLaren.

But he now feels that BAR-Honda now have the reliability and performance from their 007 machine which will give him the push in Imola as he looks to seal his maiden career victory.

"It went well, that's a lot more like it - now we are ready to get back where we belong," said Button after his high-speed lap at the famous old track had split the leading McLaren Mercedes-Benzs of de la Rosa and Finn Kimi Raikkonen.

Now, Button believes he and his BAR-Honda team have beaten their performance problems and are ready to secure more podiums and points.

"We had to make a few changes to make this car work well, but we gained a good chunk there and now we are positive for a good race here," said Button who finished third in last year's title race but has yet to score any points this year.

"Hopefully we are back up there fighting where we should be."

His BAR-Honda team finished second to Ferrari last year, but have endured a frustrating campaign this season. But Button said the team have now turned a technological corner.

"We have made a good step forward in reliability and aerodynamics and it is looking very positive.

"At the start of the year, the car was very twitchy and very unpredictable, especially at the end of braking when you were turning and trying to commit into a corner. Now it is very different.

"I have the confidence to push the car to the limit and it does make all the difference. It is not just a quicker car it also gives the driver more confidence, which is a big part of racing."

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