Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Button distraught after qualifying disaster

Jenson Button was close to tears after qualifying on the back row of the grid for his Formula One debut.

The 20-year-old Brit had a disastrous day and wound up 21st, slower than everyone but the Minardi of Gaston Mazzacane.

His troubles started with a morning crash which kept him out of the car for most of the final two practice sessions. Then in qualifying his repaired BMW-Williams racecar developed fuel problems.

He switched to the spare only to get caught out time and again like Michael Schumacher by red and yellow flags and a succession of spins and accidents. He did not get a clear run until the final seconds of the hour-long session.

The Williams team said that over the first two sections he was heading for 13th place on the grid when David Coulthard's crash brought the session to a halt.

He initially refused to leave the Williams pit to face journalist's questions but eventually did once he had composed himself.

'I feel pretty bad at the moment,' he said. 'It can't get any worse, can it? Hopefully not...

'It has been a difficult qualifying session. We had a fuel problem with my car so I had to switch to the T-car. Then every lap I did on the circuit there were yellow flags and then the red flag at the end so I was unable to get a proper qualifying lap.

'There you go, it happens I suppose. It's all part of the learning curve.

'Tomorrow is a different day and I am still looking forward to it.'

Be part of the Autosport community

Join the conversation
Previous article 'I could have taken pole' -Barrichello
Next article Herbert fuming after qualifying nightmare

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe