Button Goes Quicker than Montoya at Jerez (updated)

Briton Jenson Button lapped faster than Juan Pablo Montoya, the Colombian who replaced him at Williams, in testing on Tuesday and said he was more motivated than ever to succeed.

"My motivation is definitely higher than this time last year because I have got a lot more experience," the 20-year-old Benetton driver said after his first day of tests at the Southern Spanish Jerez track.

"I am not going to a new circuit every other week not knowing what it is going to be like," said Button, who made an impressive Formula One debut this year.

"I am more confident now and more confident in the team. I can make more demands this year because I know a lot more.

"I came on the circuit behind Montoya so we effectively did a lap together and it was interesting because I was quicker than him. I think I did a good job."

Button was ninth fastest in a session which involved nine of the 11 Formula One teams and saw tyre manufacturers Michelin make their return as rivals to Bridgestone.

The Briton lapped in one minute 24.968 seconds, while Montoya's best time was 1:25.364, but the Benetton driver played down any contest between them.

"There is no point looking at the times because we have been testing so many different things," he said. "It would be nice to finish the season ahead of Montoya but I would prefer to finish above Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen."

Montoya Sitting Comfortably

Montoya, the former Williams test driver who won the 1999 Champ Car title, was surprised by how quickly he adapted to Formula One, after two seasons in the United States.

"The car was very comfortable and much better than I expected. I did 30 laps in the morning and just got into the car the same as I used to do and it worked," he said.

"It is completely different to what I'm used to and I thought the cockpit would have been a bit bigger. You have to be a lot smoother than in ChampCar racing."

"I am a bit smarter after two years in ChampCars. I've learned that you have got to get to know the car before you can really push. I am under no pressure to do a better job than Jenson because I am here for myself."

"I know what Formula One is about and I have been to a lot of races in the past so it doesn't make me scared about it."