Button Expected to Qualify Higher

Button missed the last two races in Spain and Monaco after his team were banned when his car was found to be underweight following the San Marino Grand Prix.

The absence from those two races meant Button and teammate Takuma Sato were the first drivers on track in today's sole qualifying session, running when the circuit conditions were at their worst.

"We expected to be a little bit higher, not a great deal though because going out first never works well," Button said after qualifying in 13th position.

Sato was down in 16th.

"There is actually quite a good balance for the race even though it doesn't look good for qualifying," Button added. "Our strategy as always is one of the best. I'm not that far back, I'm 13th. A lot can happen on the first lap - I could be in a points position.

"For me starting 13th is fine. I think we can do a lot from there. I think we will have a good race pace. It's just a matter of seeing how good our strategy is - I think it is good compared to the people around us. It's difficult to say because if you put them on the circuit with us now we would be quite a bit quicker than them.

"We will still have a good race and score some good points. That's our aim now, to get up as far as we can. It should be an exciting race. We should be quicker than the cars around us which should mean we can overtake.

"We are not challenging for a win now, but it is going to be an exciting race."