Button aiming for podiums in 2004

Although this season has been hard work for Jenson Button, he expects to be fighting for podium finishes in 2004. The British driver has scored twelve points in his first season with BAR and his best finish has been fourth but that first podium ...

Although this season has been hard work for Jenson Button, he expects to be fighting for podium finishes in 2004. The British driver has scored twelve points in his first season with BAR and his best finish has been fourth but that first podium finish of his career remains elusive.

Jenson Button.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"I'm happy with my season so far and I'm pleased at scoring points regularly," he told the British press. "At the moment that's all I can hope for because the car isn't good enough to be challenging for the podium unless there are retirements. Next year will be a good test for the car because I expect to be battling for podium finishes -- working my way towards the title."

Button suffered a major crash during practice for the Monaco Grand Prix earlier this year but it hasn't deterred him from giving 100% on track: "I have made a few mistakes this year, Monaco standing out as the biggest one," he admitted.

"But I'm still going to race on the limit. You can't think you are going to make a mistake because that's just when you make one. F1 is all about being on the limit and that's the risk you take. I want to win the world title and that means pushing as hard as I can."

It's still unknown whom will partner Button at BAR next year; team boss David Richards has been in discussions with drivers, including Jenson's current teammate Jacques Villeneuve, but is not disclosing details.

"No decisions at the moment," said Richards. "We're still carrying on racing this year and that's the priority at the moment. We've had sensible discussions about it and we haven't made a decision as yet."