By Phil Huff (25/04/2004)
April 25 2004

A third podium finish in three races, but this time it was a step higher. It meant that Lucky Strike BAR Honda's star driver Jenson Button had to visit the Podium Press Conference once again, and here's what he had to say... Jenson, you lead the San Marino Grand Prix, just describe that first of all, those opening laps?

The first lap was a fantastic feeling. I was really wringing the neck of the car, I wanted to get a good gap on the first lap and it worked. And I was very happy with my pace in the first stint. It was when we got out on new tyres after we refuelled I seemed to struggle a little bit compared to Michael.

Well, you say you struggled compared with Michael, but the difference between you and the rest of the Michelin runners was night and day. How good was the car today? Was it perfect?

No. In a race it's very difficult to have a perfect car. It seems windier today and the car was a little bit twitchier than what we expected. It was a little bit tough to drive, but even with those problems, the pace was still very good.

Jenson, second place, what was it like, however, being hunted down by Michael?

It was quite strange because I know it's very difficult to overtake here so when Michael was behind, I wasn't too worried until I got to the first pit stop where he pitted two laps later and had a huge gap after the first pit stop, which I was actually quite shocked about.

What about the grip, as far as you were concerned in those opening laps?

I found the grip level very low on the first lap, but I had a very good start off the line there, and then I was able to pull away. I was pushing very, very hard, the car was a little bit nervous but I knew that Michael would try and do something on the first lap, so I pulled out a good advantage which definitely helped me.

Then, just about the same time as Takuma expired, you set a 1m 28s lap time suddenly. What happened there?

I must have been one of the first cars past his and I didn't know anything about it so I pretty much stopped because I couldn't see anything and lost six or seven seconds going through the smoke. I was just being very cautious.

General feelings about the second place?

Very happy. I think we all know that the pace of the Ferrari is untouchable in the race but no, a fantastic result for all of us. Going to Barcelona, I'm very happy with my year so far and it should be a good race for us.

Jenson could you see any of the spat going on behind you and were you surprised by the 2.7 seconds you had at the end of the first lap?

I was a little bit surprised at the difference in time, but I didn't have time to look behind and see what was going on really. All I could see was the red car going backwards, which was fantastic and that was my aim.

Can I just have a comment if possible on the fact that this might be the last Grand Prix at Imola?

I think it would be sad to lose this circuit. It is a great circuit to drive, I think there is a lot of history in it and also the crowds are fantastic here so it would be sad to see it go.

Jenson, what do you feel is the weakness point to close the gap with Ferrari? And do you believe the rain of last night could have helped Ferrari?

I just think they are a long way in front of anyone at the moment. The rain might have made a small difference, but if it did it is not a huge difference. Michael was 27 seconds in front of me before he started slowing down. It is a huge gap considering I was leading for the first nine laps of the race. If I knew the reasons why they were so fast we would work on it, but it is very difficult to understand why we are quite a long way off them.

Jenson, bearing in mind how well testing went in Barcelona, do you think you could have a go at Ferrari in Barcelona?

It's difficult. In testing you never know what fuel loads people are running and what testing they are doing so it's a difficult one. We have been quick at Barcelona over one lap and the long runs are reasonable as well, but looking at Ferrari's pace in every race this year they seem to be very good in race trim. We might be closer but to beat them is a big step forward.