Button moving forward

Jenson Button is convinced BAR is getting better with every race, even if it is only small steps the team is taking. There have been some low points; the Englishman's crash in practice at Monaco, which prevented him taking part in the race, and a lack of performance at the Canadian Grand Prix. But overall Button feels there is ongoing improvement.

"There have been quite a few positive points, really," he told the BAR website about the season so far. "And, yes, with me crashing in Monaco, there have obviously been some negatives as well. However, the good news is that we are making good steps forward."

"With the exception of Montreal, the car seems to be getting better with every race; we have good steps on the aerodynamics and also on the engine from Honda. We seem to have new specifications for every race -- they're not huge steps but it's what you need to keep moving forwards."

After the disappointments of Monaco and Canada, Button is optimistic for this weekend's European Grand Prix at the N?rburgring: "Obviously Montreal was a bit of a low one. Coming after Monaco it was a race in which I really wanted to reaffirm how strong we were -- but we didn't."

"Now we must hope the N?rburgring is better. I think it will be as the car has been working well everywhere -- aside from in Canada -- so we should be in for another positive weekend."

After Europe and France, Button will be at home in the UK for the British GP in July and says it's always special to race in front of your home crowd. Naturally he'd like to do well at Silverstone but is not about to be disheartened if things don't work out very well.

"It's always a very busy weekend," he commented. "The busiest of the year aside from Monaco. But it's nice to be out there in front of our home crowd, so it's always a little bit special. However, then again, if you finish eighth you only get one point as you do in every other race. I'd love to do well at Silverstone but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen."

As for his chances for the second half of the season, Button knows it will be hard to gain that elusive first podium finish. "To be honest it would need a bit of luck," was his opinion. "The Ferraris, McLarens, Williams and even the Renaults are strong, so it will be tough."

"However, if you look at Austria we deserved to be where we were, so there is still a possibility but it's getting more and more difficult as more cars are becoming more reliable. We've just got to keep pushing and to keep improving the car and engine."

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