Button Might Change Engine

The Briton lost track time as his engineers removed the gearbox to investigate the problem. Apparently they found a small oil leak but felt it was not serious, although it meant that Button was unable to do any runs on low fuel loads ahead of qualifying.

"It's quite difficult going into qualifying with new tyres and also running low fuel for the first time,"Button told Speed TV after qualifying ninth in the first session. "We had a problem this morning with the engine, and I wasn't able to do second practice, so it was hard know where the braking points were.

"I lost a bit of time in the last sector, when I got a bit of oversteer through the high-speed left. I think we could have been very quick, so it's disappointing."

When asked if his engine was still causing problems he noted: "They're still looking at it at the moment - it held on for qualifying, but it's only one lap. We'll have to see what happens. There's still a chance we'll change."