Button sets sight on podium finish

Jenson Button plans to fire BAR to second place in the constructors’ championship after recovering from his home-race disappointment.

The Englishman went into the British Grand Prix full of confidence and expecting to challenge Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher for victory, but he trailed home a disappointing fourth.

A resurgent McLaren and Kimi Raikkonen kept Button off the podium and despite his initial frustration, he approaches this weekend’s German Grand Prix in philosophical mood.

Button is desperate to score more points for BAR, especially after his team closed to within 12 of second-placed Renault in the constructors’ championship at Silverstone.

“Even though we were disappointed not to secure a podium finish at Silverstone last week, it wasn’t too bad considering McLaren’s step up in form,” he said.

“Looking towards the German Grand Prix, I think that we should be a lot stronger in Hockenheim as our car is well-suited to the circuit. The track demands good traction and our car is strong in this area.

“There is a good overtaking opportunity at the end of the back straight which should make for an interesting race. The stadium section is also pretty special to drive through.

“We now need to concentrate our efforts on fighting the Renaults and to enable us to do this we need to have both cars finish the race in the points.”

Button’s BAR team boss David Richards is also putting a positive spin on a Silverstone weekend which promised much but delivered little to cheer the sell-out 100,000 crowd.

Richards has become used to seeing his cars fighting for top-three finishes this season but he was content to see Button take five points from a day which saw neither Renault score.

Now Richards, who has won world titles as a co-driver and team owner in rallying, is keen to see Button and team-mate Takuma Sato resume their fight for podiums.

He said: “We took away many positives from Silverstone, despite what, on the face of it, was a fairly average result for us – particularly at our home grand prix.

“The test team have made good progress with our latest developments in Jerez this week and with seven races remaining we have to maintain every ounce of the momentum that has brought us so far already this season in order to pursue a top-three place in the championship.

“Personally I’m hopeful that the German Grand Prix will mark a return to the podium for BAR.”

World champion Michael Schumacher is likely to stand in the way of Button and a maiden grand prix win though.

The German has won 10 out of 11 races prior to his home race and expects to once again be the man to beat.

However, Schumacher does not have a great record at Hockenheim, having only won there twice in his 14 seasons of Formula One.

Despite his troubles at the track, Schumacher claims he always relishes a trip home and is looking forward to this weekend.

He told his personal website, www.michael-schumacher.de: “It is my home race, and even though I am able to consider several races to be like home races for me, this is the main one.

“It is one of the highlights of the season for me even if racing-wise for the past few seasons it has not been a high point.

“I am sure a hard battle awaits us but I also think we have a good chance. I will give my all in any case.”