Coulthard Leads Button Praise

Fellow Briton David Coulthard led the praise of BAR-Honda driver Jenson Button after he scored his first-ever podium at Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

Button finally ended his search for a top-three finish when he trailed Ferrari's Michael Schumacher and Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya home. Coulthard, a close-friend of Button and a neighbour in Monte Carlo, was the first to congratulate the 24-year-old on his achievement.

"He has been close to getting on the podium for quite a while now. It's a great day for him," Coulthard, sixth today, said. "I'm very happy for Jenson and I'm looking forward to enjoying some of his champagne. Your first podium is special. It is a great feeling.

"My first podium came after eight races and it was probably a bit too early, but it is something you never forget and it is really great for him."

Button's father John watched from the BAR garages and admitted to a heart-stopping moment when the young Englishman's teammate Takuma Sato suffered a blown engine four laps from the end of the race.

"I think everyone's heart stopped in the garage when we saw the engine blew up and we were just waiting to see whose name came up," said Button senior, who had watched his son finish fourth five-times before finally landing the podium.

"The speed was in the car. It is massive for him. He doesn't show his emotions very much but he will tonight. This is going to lift the team, it is fantastic."

Spaniard Fernando Alonso, Button's former teammate at Renault who claimed his maiden podium in Malaysia 12 months ago, also heaped praise on the Briton.

"He will feel fantastic," said Alonso. "It is difficult to forget your first podium. I'm very happy for him, he did a very good race, and he has wanted this for a long time."