Formula One news

I couldn't make move stick, says Button

Champion Jenson Button finished his title-winning season in dramatic fashion by chasing Mark Webber right to the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. Although the Englishman's Brawn was eventually unable to overhaul the Australian's Red Bull, the Frome driver is pleased to have finished his year with a first podium since Monza in mid-September.

Having started fifth on the grid, Button's eventual two-place rise came courtesy of passing team-mate Rubens Barrichello on the first lap plus the race-ending brake issues of Lewis Hamilton.

"I was struggling a bit with the prime tyre but I tried to make the best out of it," Button said of Bridgestone's harder compound, this weekend being Medium. "After the second stop, I found I had very good grip and had good initial turn-in - that's why I was able to close down Mark."

With Webber under pressure, consequently running wide at Turn 8 on the final lap and Button attacking until the finish line, the Brawn man was unable to make the most of the Red Bull's slower pace. "I couldn't make the move stick," said Button. "I was very excited by that battle but Mark is a very difficult person to overtake. We were clean but on the edge - it's disappointing not to get second place but I enjoyed the fight."

Button concluded by describing the Yas Marina result as a 'bonus' as he finishes 2009 11 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel. "We should be proud of what we have achieved," Jenson added.

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