Button says he got all out of his car to secure second place on the grid at Suzuka
Jenson Button admitted he felt his fastest lap in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix would be enough for pole, the Briton claiming he got everything out of his car
The McLaren driver came very close to ending Sebastian Vettel's run of pole positions at Suzuka, the German beating him with a superb final lap by just 0.009 seconds.
The British driver, who will start from second ahead of team-mate Lewis Hamilton, said there was nothing else to extract from his car.
Button also admitted he was delighted to see such a small gap to Vettel on a track that was supposed to favour Red Bull.
"It has been a pretty good weekend," said Button. "As always I love driving around here, Suzuka is a phenomenal circuit, and when the car working around here it is ideal.
"I was building up to Q3 and thought that last lap would be enough - but it was nine thousandths, so not good enough.
"I felt like I got everything out of the car. I had a bit of oversteer on the last run but maybe I was pushing too hard. It's great from team to be close to Red Bull on a circuit where they have been dominant in the past."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
Cars and stars from the 2026 Goodwood Members’ Meeting
Button takes Goodwood Members’ Meeting win in E-type Jaguar
“No regrets at all” – Why Button is happy with his decision to retire from racing
The big British GP chance F1 almost missed
What Alonso needs from Aston Martin and F1 as career decision looms
Why nationality should be 'no factor' as Haas considers Fornaroli and Camara for F1 2027
F1 drivers raise concerns over 'self-learning' power units – what's going on?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments