Jenson Button says he was fortunate to claim third place at the European Grand Prix after his BAR team-mate Takuma Sato suffered an engine failure. "If Taku was still in the race I don't think I would have had a chance of a podium because he was in front of us," admitted Button.
"It's difficult to overtake especially if you are driving the same car.
"The car felt good at the end but I was trying to conserve the engine as well as pushing which was difficult."
Button also felt his chances had been hampered by a combination of a slow start and traffic.
He said: "My start wasn't that good - I was surprised to see Rubens Barrichello come out in front of me.
"My line for the first corner was to go wide but it was a bit hard when Rubens was in the way.
"When I got to the last lap I backed off as I wasn't able to catch Rubens."
Button's third place leaves him 22 points behind Michael Schumacher, and eight behind Barrichello in the championship.
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
