Formula One news

Button ecstatic with first Monaco pole

Jenson Button was once again overjoyed to have claimed pole position after driving a fine lap in Monte-Carlo. The Brawn driver, who currently has a fourteen-point lead in the championship, starts the Monaco Grand Prix from the front for the first time with 2007 Champion Kimi Räikkönen lining up alongside him.

With Rubens Barrichello looking like the faster Brawn in practice on Thursday, Button once again pulled out all the stops to storm to pole position at the circuit on which he narrowly missed claiming his first Grand Prix victory in 2004. "It means a lot, they all do," said Frome's Button of pole position. "Today was a really tight fight; all weekend I have been fighting with Rubens and he has definitely had the upper hand. McLaren has been up there, Ferrari up there, the Red Bulls - it has been a fun weekend!

Delighted pole sitter Button relishes his position in the post-qualifying press conference

"Qualifying was no different, it was manic, but great to come away with the pole - to snatch pole, I am chuffed to bits." With many considering pole position in Monaco to be worth half a Grand Prix victory, Jenson went on to admit that the success, after practice, came as unexpected. "I was a long way off in P1 on Thursday and didn't know where we were," he explained, "but all weekend we have improved it a little bit - that is the great thing with this year's car.

"You enjoy the moment but it is strange because it is a lot more stressful than you think. You want to stay in this position obviously; at this point of the season, every time, I need to score points; it is not going to be easy, it is difficult to overtake here, but for sure it is not going to be easy. The way things are going this season is a fantastic feeling, so thanks again and hopefully we can have a good day tomorrow."

more news

• 28 Nov.
  • Tung looking for 'useful' test
• 27 Nov.
  • Montreal seals Formula One contract
  • GPUpdate TV: Domenicali - high hopes for 2010
  • Jerez test: The cast
  • Wurz plays down USF1 link
  • Renault to test Baguette, Tung and Di Grassi
  • Alonso makes second visit to Ferrari
  • Force India confirms Sutil and Liuzzi
  • All new teams now FOTA members
  • Sauber buys team back from BMW
  • De la Rosa pushing for race drive
  • Ecclestone: I won't buy Donington
  • Haug becomes part of F1 in Schools
  • Volkswagen to provide F1 engines?
• 26 Nov.
  • Alguersuari: 2010 contract is signed
  • Conway and Ericsson to test for Mercedes
  • 4 driver options left for Lotus
  • 'F1 in need of Schumacher return' - Verstappen
• 25 Nov.
  • 'Fantastic opportunity' - Di Resta on Force India test
  • Recap: N.Technology court bid fails
  • BMW testers excited about Jerez
  • Brawn disappointed with Button drives, ponders Lauda
  • Piquet to drive in Massa kart race
  • Brawn aero chief wins award
  • Gillett disappointed with government position
  • Mercedes hopes to confirm line-up by Christmas
• 24 Nov.
  • Briatore verdict expected in January
  • Donington still hopeful over F1 race
  • Montreal race confirmation imminent
  • Massa names drivers for karting event
  • Campos car passes FIA safety tests
  • Strong test could seal drive, says Mallya
  • Force India to test di Resta and Hildebrand
  • Courts to hear Briatore case
  • Silverstone GP deal forthcoming
• 23 Nov.
  • GPUpdate TV: Sam Michael - building on 2009
  • Theissen waiting on entry decision
  • Mercedes delighted with Rosberg confirmation
  • Confirmed: Rosberg to Mercedes for 2010
  • Manor hoping to run in late January

Homepage