Jenson Button Q&A
Jenson Button finished the 2003 season with an excellent fourth place at Suzuka, in the process securing fifth place in the constructors' championship for BAR. He also earned himself a respectable ninth in the driver's version as 'best of the rest' behind the Ferrari, Williams, McLaren and Renault guys. Overall it was a pretty good year for the Brit, who did more than enough to re-establish his credentials as a man of the future. He now takes over as a clear BAR team leader in 2004. Adam Cooper spoke to him at Suzuka

"We came here looking for two points, and to finish in front of the other teams we're competing against is fantastic. It's a good end to the season. It means a lot more money for the team, and that's where we deserve to be. It's been a very tough season, for whatever reasons, but overall we've been a very strong package."
"Yes it did. I was leading for a few laps, which was quite nice! I thought we were pitting late, but not that late."
"It was a great race. It wasn't perfect, because I had quite a twitching car all the way through it. It oversteered, especially through the Esses. It was difficult to drive, so it makes it even harder then."
"No I didn't! This was more because we pitted so late, but even so, leading the last two races was a nice feeling."
"Yes. It's also the first time we had both cars in the points, and well the points as well. It's not like it's seventh and eighth."
"It has been for us! It's nice to see that the reliability has been sorted out, and
we've just got to work on the speed now."
"The good thing is that Takuma has driven the car all year. He's experienced in that way, although not so much in racing, but he also knows the circuit very well, and he's very quick here. It's the perfect opportunity for him to get in the car and show what a talent he is. To finish sixth on his first race back is very good."
"Hopefully we'll have a good relationship, although that sounds a bit funny! Hopefully we'll work well as a team. He seems quite dedicated, and it's important."
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