Inspired Button Fifth on the Grid

Jenson Button gave an inspired performance on Saturday, to qualify fifth for Williams in the Japanese Grand Prix, leaving drivers with many more years of experience trailing in his wake.

The 20-year old Briton's precocious display on the techically challenging Suzuka circuit earned him plaudits from his team and means Williams will occupy both spots on the third row of the starting grid on Sunday.

German team mate Ralf Schumacher qualified sixth.

"Once again, Jenson gave a really great performance. During the weekend he has kept up with the other more experienced drivers on such a difficult track," BMW motor sport chief Gerhard Berger said.

"It is the first time both our cars have started from the third row. Until now we have only been able to breach the top two teams when they have had a problem but from this position we can hope for some points."

Button, in his debut year in Formula One, said he was surprised and delighted to learn the tricks of the Suzuka track so quickly.

"It is great to come to a place like this and to qualify fifth for the first time. It is one of the best moments of the season for me," he said. "I owe a lot to the mechanics and the engineers as they did such a great job for me.

"But I cannot start to celebrate yet. Obviously, tomorrow I have to finish the race and this is a particularly technical circuit. I was 1.5 seconds off the pace set by Ralf yesterday but now I have got it together."

"It has been a very encouraging performance for us. Now we are just waiting with real impatience for tomorrow and the race," team chief Frank Williams said.