Ban to Hurt More at Monaco, Says Button

The Briton, who will not be back in Formula One action until the European Grand Prix later this month after his team was punished for running with an illegal car at Imola, claims missing this weekend will hurt more than Spain because he is convinced he could have triumphed on the streets of Monte Carlo.

"Spain would have been a great race for us, but for me Monaco is the one that I'm most disappointed about," he told his web site on Monday. "That was a race where we could have again not just done well, but I think we could have shocked a lot of people. We would have been staggeringly quick, I really think so.

"It's a circuit I love. We did well there last year, getting on the podium, and I really think we could have gone one step higher this year. And I don't think it would have been too hard, either."

Button's enforced ban could not have come at a worse time for the Briton, with BAR having made aerodynamic improvements to their car which he believes have helped lift the team on a par with Renault and McLaren.

And although Button will not be racing in Monaco this weekend, he will almost certainly be making an appearance in the paddock with BAR still likely to have a presence for their guests.

"I'm sure I can find some ways of looking after myself at the Monaco GP," added Button, talking about his plans for the weekend. "I'll still be around doing certain things. That will be the tough part, being there and not going out, because it is such a spectacular event.

"It's one of my home Grands Prix. Waking up in my apartment and there's car going round, it's going to be a bit weird."