Button Surprised by Ferrari's Pace

BAR-Honda's Jenson Button admitted he was surprised being beaten to the top of the timesheets by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher, after ending the first qualifying session two tenths of a second behind the World Champion

BAR have struggled in the first three races of the season, but heavy modifications tested in the past three weeks have seen the team return to competitive form at Imola this weekend, with Button setting the fastest timed lap of the weekend in the final practice session on Saturday.

Asked on ITV during qualifying if he was disappointed with provisional second place, Button replied: "Yes it is a little bit. We didn't expect Ferrari to be that quick. My lap was great until the last sector, that sector time seemed to be slow. Hopefully it is the same for everyone, but at least it showed we have made some big improvements.

"It would have been nice to have got pole position but at least we are at the front."

The qualifying session continues, with the frontrunners - including World Championship leader Fernando Alonso - yet to set a time.

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