Button: V8 enjoyable despite power loss

Button tested the hybrid BAR car fitted with the Honda V8 engine for the first time in Barcelona today, and despite the rain hindering his progress he was still pleased with the power plant's performance.

The Honda driver, however, has warned that errors will be more costly than when the cars were powered by V10 units.

"I was not expecting so much so what I have done I am quite reasonably happy with," Button told autosport.com at the end of the test.

"It is the first time (testing the V8) and there is loss of power, but it is still enjoyable. It's not that bad, but it does cost you so much more when you make a mistake, it is so hard to get back the speed.

"The engine was reliable and there were no problems whatsoever. Before that I had done some 2004 aero work, and also on 2005. It was productive.

"It was a shame about the weather today but we still did traction control and throttle mapping, so it was not all wasted. I am quite happy with the work we have done."