Japanese GP Williams race notes

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team contended the Japanese Grand Prix by finishing in the points for the 11th time in 16 races as Jenson Button came fifth but Ralf Schumacher spun and went off.

Jenson Button:
"My start wasn't one of the best - it was quite disastrous actually - as I dropped down to seventh having started fifth, but I kept pushing and got back to fifth by passing Ralf, who had a problem. The car was very well balanced, worked very well and I was putting in quite good times, although obviously not as good as McLaren and Ferrari! I think that it's fantastic Michael Schumacher is world champion because he deserves it and has for many years. I am sure he will be celebrating tonight so I'll try to be there!"

Ralf Schumacher:
"I can barely tell how happy I feel for my brother. This year for sure the best driver in the best car and the best team has won. I had a very good start and at the beginning everything wasn't too bad. But as it started to rain and it became quite slippery I went off the track twice through my own fault. I then spun when a Minardi driver - again - decided to let me through at the very last moment. Gene braked unexpectedly and I had to brake suddenly myself, got on the kerb and went off. I appreciate that he came to apologise after the race."

Frank Williams:
"A satisfying result today - we always get to the line hoping for more - but we're still grateful for two more points. I was astonished during the race at the pace of the two leaders, quite remarkable. The third place in the constructors' championship is very close. A fine championship, with thrilling championship finish. Less unfortunate traffic problems might have made a difference to the outcome."

Patrick Head:
"First of all congratulations should go to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari for a job well done during the year. McLaren give them a great fight through the whole season and these two teams have been really class acts all the way through the year. For our race Jenson did an extraordinarily good job considering the conditions with the rain and he drove an absolutely brilliant, very mature race and thoroughly deserved his fifth position. Ralf made a very good start but unfortunately the race didn't work out for him and he finished it in a gravel trap."

Gerhard Berger:
"Congratulations to Michael and Mika -- both have been excellent and fair sports. This weekend has been a super show for F1. The battle at the top has shown us once again the great level of the top teams. We still have a lot of work ahead. Today we collected two more points in a technically trouble-free race. The third place in the constructors' championship is now within our reach. We hope we are going to have something to celebrate ourselves in Malaysia."