Button Unhappy with Backmarkers

BAR's Jenson Button was delighted after scoring his fourth podium finish of the 2004 season at today's Monaco Grand Prix.

Briton Button was second, just 0.4 of a second behind race winner Jarno Trulli, after throwing his BAR around the city streets in a last-gasp attempt to beat his former teammate.

"There was the risk of hitting a guardrail but I wanted to win so much," said Button, who complained bitterly about being held up by slower cars.

"I didn't get a good start and Alonso was able to get by me, then the traffic was very bad because of the backmarkers and I was getting really frustrated, being stuck behind da Matta for three and a half laps. After I broke free of them I could really start catching Jarno.

"We had a great strategy today but we just couldn't quite catch him."

Button's teammate Takuma Sato was in the race for just two laps before his engine blew up in spectacular fashion, blinding the drivers behind him and causing mayhem after the Tabac corner. The Japanese driver was happy no one was hurt in the incident.

"I am obviously extremely disappointed today after making such a great start off the grid, but on the positive side it was encouraging to see our race pace was so strong. It was very unfortunate that the smoke caused the crash between Coulthard and Fisichella, and although there was nothing I could have done about it, I am really pleased that no one was hurt.

"We have been working very hard in testing at Barcelona and Paul Ricard for this race and the Nurburgring, and at least I don't have long to wait to try to make up for today."