It's not over yet, warns Button

Jenson Button has warned Michael Schumacher not to read too much into today’s dominant Ferrari display in practice for the Monaco Grand Prix.

Schumacher was almost half a second faster than his nearest challenger after setting the pace in both today’s practice sessions.

Button was 0.8s slower than Ferrari’s six-time world champion in both practice sessions, but claimed afterwards he is much closer to Schumacher than that would suggest.

The Englishman admitted he paid little attention to the timing sheets today, preferring to concentrate on ensuring his BAR is perfectly set-up for Saturday’s crucial qualifying session.

He also believes he may possess a tyre advantage over Schumacher in qualifying, with his BAR running on Michelins which are traditionally better over one lap than the Bridgestones preferred by Ferrari.

“We didn’t really look at the times too much because I’m reasonably happy with the car, the problem is the circuit is changing all the time – it’s just about making sure we understand the circuit and the tyres,” he said.

“I think we look reasonably strong. We should be happy with our day – we’ve had three cars run without major problems.

“I feel very confident in the car, I enjoy the circuit very much.

“Last year the Bridgestones were very good on Thursday and the Michelin seemed to be stronger on Saturday. I don’t know if that’s going to be the case this year but it would be great because it seems we are quite a big gap behind Michael.

“I think we are closer than we look at the moment, I really do. We should get quicker and quicker.”

With overtaking nearly impossible around the streets of Monaco, strategy will be more important than ever, with teams desperate to gain track position.

Button believes he has a chance of a maiden Formula One victory if he can lap within half a second of Schumacher – and picks the right strategy.

He added: “Strategy is very important here. There might even be people doing one stop. It could be one, two or three, it’s pretty crazy like that round here.

“The Ferraris are so quick, if they are quicker than us by half a second or more it doesn’t matter when we stop because they are going to win.

“Ferrari are going to be very strong and very difficult to beat, also the Renaults are strong and the McLarens.”

Button’s display was overshadowed, however, by BAR test driver Anthony Davidson, who clocked the second fastest time of the day.

The Hemel Hempstead-born driver has been impressive in the practice sessions on Fridays of grand prix weekends – or Thursday in the case of Monaco – and reinforced his status as one of Formula One’s hottest young talents today.

Button was keen to praise his team-mate, who was only 0.4secs slower than Schumacher on the notoriously difficult Monaco streets, despite having 198 fewer grands prix to his name than the German legend.

“Anthony’s done a great job so he should be very happy,” said Button. “He’s done a good lap, done all the testing we needed. It’s been a good day for the whole team.”

Schumacher predicted a tough qualifying session on Saturday, after the traditional rest day tomorrow.

Like Button, Schumacher feels today’s times do not reflect how close the competition is.

He said: “It was an entertaining and interesting session. We worked throughout the day, improving the car all the time as can be seen from the fact I was quickest at the end of both sessions.

“I think qualifying here will be very close so I don’t think today means much and we will only see the real picture on Saturday.”