BAR triumphs in fight for fifth

Briton Jenson Button finished fourth with new team-mate Takuma Sato sixth on his debut for the team. The result pushes BAR back above Sauber into fifth position in the final Constructors' standings.

"That was incredible!" said Button. "We came here fighting for two points and came away with eight, which is just amazing. We really deserved this result today and to finally secure fifth place in the championship is a great way for the team to finish the season.

"I'd like to thank Honda for a fantastic race engine and all the race team for a great job this weekend, especially in the pitstops today. I'd also like to pay tribute to the team back at base for sticking with it during a very difficult year. This is a great boost for all of us for the winter."

Sato, who was only drafted in to replace Jacques Villeneuve on the Thursday before the race, said: "I'm absolutely thrilled. Racing here this weekend came as a total surprise but to finish sixth and play a part in securing fifth place in the championship is just amazing. And all in front of my home crowd!

"I had a close call with Michael (Schumacher) in the chicane, but I had the line and he came up on the inside of me. This is a great way to start my racing career with BAR and now I can't wait for next season."