By Phil Huff
May 25 2005

Jenson Button returns to Formula One racing this weekend, his championship bid in tatters, but with a renewed drive and determination to finally get himself and BAR Honda on to the top step of the podium. "It goes without saying how much we racing drivers look forward to our next Grand Prix, but it's been five weeks since I last raced at Imola and I'm very excited about getting back in the car this weekend," explains an eager Jenson Button. "The whole team is incredibly upbeat and determined. I've been so impressed with the way they've handled this situation and I can't wait to see what we can achieve at the Nurburgring.

"The most frustrating thing about the past few weeks has been knowing that we have a strong car with some very impressive new developments just sitting in the factory when we could have been out there challenging for podiums, if not wins. That's behind us now though. What matters is going forward and demonstrating why we belong at the top."

Jenson finished last year's European Grand Prix on the podium, taking third place after Takuma Sato retired with an engine failure. The pace of the car wasn't in doubt, with Button starting fifth on the grid, three places behind Sato, and managing to set the fourth fastest lap of the race, behind the two dominant Ferrari's and, again, Sato.

"I finished on the podium here last year in 3rd position and I know we can be stronger than that this time," Jenson continues. "I enjoy racing here at the best of times and the track has some great high-speed corners and interesting undulations. The car will be strong here, no question. I'm just counting down the hours now until free practice on Friday!"

So are we.