Button Relieved to be Back on Podium

Button had come into the weekend bullish about his chances after record-breaking performances from the revamped BAR 007 in testing, and had maintained his optimism after grabbing third on the grid.

But although his race pace was not good enough to match Ferrari or Renault, especially on full tanks, the Briton was overjoyed to have opened his and BAR's scorecard after a disastrous first three races to the year.

"Yeah, there have been some tough races this season," said Button. "We have all worked so hard to turn things around and we have. We are not on the same pace as Ferrari, but they (BAR) have done a fantastic job. I would like to say thank-you to them because it is a different car."

Button admitted that his team needed to improve his car's high fuel load handing, with the BAR proving to be a match for Renault on low fuel loads, but had few complaints about his result.

"We were suffering a bit with our fuel load," he said. "When the fuel load got a bit lower we were competitive and I am able to catch him (Alonso) a bit. But as soon as we put the fuel in things changed.

"But we have so much information from this year. It is the first one we have finished this year and it is great to be back on the podium."