Button baffled by lack of speed

The Honda driver, tipped for great things ahead of the weekend in one of his favourite races, will start from a poor 14th position after failing to make it to the final session for the first time this season.

Button claimed he could not lap quick enough when his car used new tyres.

"The balance of the car was reasonable on old tyres but I had an unexpected amount of understeer when we switched to new tyres," said Button. "I was quicker on old tyres than new.

"Right now we don't know why so we will have to look at the data but everyone knows that qualifying well here is crucial for the race and I'm obviously extremely frustrated to be starting so far back here for a race I felt confident we could do well in."

In contract, teammate Rubens Barrichello had a reasonably good day and will start tomorrow's race from seventh place.

"It was crazy out there, just like everybody predicted," said the Brazilian. "I was trying very hard to avoid getting in other people's way and they were doing the same for me, which was nice to see.

"I want to thank the team for a fantastic job today and making the right decisions and quickly.  7th is not a bad place to start tomorrow and it should be an incredible race."