Not even Michael Schumacher won his first race from his first pole position but Jenson Button's performance over the weekend showed how far BAR have come in 2004 and how close they are to achieving their maiden victory.
"This is way above what we expected at the start of the year," enthused a beaming Button amid the post-race celebrations at Imola.
 Button was ecstatic after his second place |
"But your goals keep changing the quicker you go and now I want to win."
Since assuming the mantle of BAR team leader after the acrimonious departure of Jacques Villeneuve, Button has achieved more in the opening four races than he did in the previous four years.
The Williams new boy in 2000, bruised by two trying years at Benetton and toughened by Villeneuve's maverick tendencies, is growing into one of the grid's outstanding talents.
After his first podium finishes in Malaysia and Bahrain, and his first pole position at Imola, the final, biggest step is beckoning.
Getting ahead of Schumacher's Ferrari in qualifying was one thing. But staying ahead in race trim was always going to be the real battle and for the opening nine laps of the San Marino Grand Prix, Button drove like a champion.
His getaway from the most pressured position on the track was nerveless and he surprised himself at how quickly he started.
"The first lap was staggering," he admitted. "Then every lap was like a qualifying lap. I looked behind and I couldn't believe I couldn't see anyone which was the best feeling ever."
If Schumacher had been caught by Juan Pablo Montoya in their latest controversial clash, Button could have led the race for longer.
But although the champion soon amassed a towering 27-second lead, Button never looked in any danger of attack from the chasing pack.
"He's coping brilliantly," said BAR team boss David Richards. "We had an opportunity to win but we have to be realistic. I'm not concerned that we didn't. Our day will come."
Such optimism can't just be put down to last week's team-building day involving England's rugby World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson.
Button's display emphasised the great strides made by technical director Geoff Willis and his team over the winter. It also showed up the continued deficiencies at Williams.
Montoya was forthright in his criticism of a car "that's slow everywhere". And team principal Frank Williams was equally pointed in his comments.
 Montoya had little to smile about |
"We have been well blown away by BAR. We have to try harder," he remarked.
As the man who gave Button his chance in F1, Williams is suitably qualified to pass judgement on his progress in 2004.
"He's maturing and he's a very quick boy," he said. "He's developed with his car but you also need skill and determination, and Jenson clearly has plenty of both."
Button's name has been linked to a return to Williams in 2005 but his former boss admitted that likelihood was virtually nil.
"BAR have an option on him and the last thing they are going to do is let him go," he said.
Longer term, Ferrari could challenge for the Englishman's services when Schumacher eventually calls time. Ross Brawn, the Italian team's technical director, acclaimed Button's showing at Imola as "fantastic".
More immediately, the 24-year-old is concentrating on beating the champions, not joining them.
"We're moving forward but Ferrari are still a long way in front," he said. "In Barcelona (the next race) we can be closer but to beat them will be tough."
MMIX
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BAR have an option on him and the last thing they are going to do is let him go 