Button admits BAR facing tough weekend
Jenson Button admits BAR-Honda face an uphill struggle in this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis if they are to maintain the resurgence shown in Canada.
Button qualified on pole position in Montreal and fought for a podium finish before his race ended in the wall.
The 25-year-old and his BAR team confidently announced their return to the front of the grid but practice yesterday at Indianapolis came as a shock.
Button posted the 15th fastest time and complained afterwards of poor handling. He said: “The pace is not very good. We are struggling with grip a little bit. We have a busy time ahead of us.
“I think it’s a bit of a car issue really. Compared to other people we are slower than we expected. It’s not all down to the circuit, it’s down to us.
“We are struggling a little bit with not having enough grip. It’s not a balance issue it’s a grip issue. It’s just hopefully not more than one issue.”
Button holds out hope for an improvement before today’s qualifying session, although he expects BAR to be the fourth fastest team at best.
McLaren again dominated practice, with Juan Pablo Montoya setting the pace as he looks to avenge the disappointment of losing victory in Canada.
