Button Not Expecting to Fight in Front

Jenson Button believes he has got no chance of fighting Kimi Raikkonen and Fernando Alonso for victory in the German Grand Prix, despite his front row start

Jul 23, 2005, 12:05 PM

Button benefited from Juan Pablo Montoya's last-corner spin in qualifying to keep his second place on the grid - but he still believes his BAR is lacking pace in the races.

That comes after his car proved almost one second per lap slower than Renault and McLaren at the British Grand Prix.

"We've made progress (since Silverstone), but not enough to challenge them. I don't think," said Button. "Maybe I should be more upbeat but that is the way it is. Hopefully we will just be closer to them."

Button's pessimism about the pace of BAR comes after stating on Friday that he believed his team could forget about winning a race on pace this season.

Speaking about his lap, Button said: "In qualifying I would not say my lap was the best.

"There was a bit too much front end and I had a few moments. It is nice to be on the front row and I aim to be closer than we were at Silverstone to Renault and McLaren."