Button seeks pole - but not at all cost
Jenson Button hopes to strike the right balance today in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Qualifying at Monaco is more important than at any other circuit as overtaking is virtually impossible once racing begins on Sunday.
That should play into Button’s hands as the Englishman has one of the best qualifying records on the grid this season, in stark contrast to his indifferent race form.
But the 26-year-old claims there is little point in aiming for pole position today unless his Honda team can back that up with improved speed in tomorrow’s race.
Drivers must qualifying carrying the amount of fuel they plan to start the race with, but Button is not tempted to compromise his race strategy for the glory of a Monaco pole position.
He said: “Qualifying is important but everyone needs to remember we are not qualifying on zero fuel. It does matter how much fuel is in the car.
“If you qualify on pole and you are stopping on lap 12 you are not going to win the race. There has to be a balance.
“Our car does qualify better than it races, for sure, compared to the competition but we still have to be very careful of what lap you are stopping on because that is what makes the race.
“If you purposely go out to qualify well you are going to pit earlier than anyone else and most likely come out in traffic.”
Most drivers are predicting a chaotic first session this afternoon when 22 cars battle for clear space on the tight and twisty Principality streets.
Button also expects a frenzied start to the session but is more interested by the strategies chosen by his rivals.
He added: “It will be very interesting to see what people are up to, with new tyres, what have you in third qualifying.
“First and second qualifying are going to be crazy but third qualifying especially, what people are doing with their strategies.”
