Jenson looks back at 100 races

[NarendZORCE]

http://www.barhondaf1.com



The following article was originally published on www.jensonbutton.com on the Friday of the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix (16 October).

Jenson reaches a landmark this weekend as he passes the 100 Grands Prix mark. Counting starts is always complicated by a few anomalies, and like many other drivers on the grid Jenson�s stats have been confused by this year�s US GP. On that occasion he left the dummy grid on the formation lap but along with the other Michelin drivers he pulled into the pits, with no intention of racing. Was that a start or not?

Not, we say! Jenson himself regards this weekend as the 100th, although he�s not getting too excited about it. Of course it�s a big deal for the media, especially as JB is still waiting for that elusive first win.

"It�s just a figure, isn�t it?" says Jenson. "It�s nice to have achieved 100 races. There are positives and negatives. You could say that I haven�t won a race, but I�m only 25, and I�ve completed 100 Grands Prix, which is pretty mad. It doesn�t really mean anything to me. My first win will mean something to me, and it doesn�t matter how long it takes. Better sooner rather than later."

As he suggests, the real achievement is that Jenson has done so many races at such a young age, something very few drivers have been able to do. Time is still on his side.

"For me I know the situation. If I�d won 10 races in my career, it would have been fantastic, but it�s not been achievable yet. But hopefully we�ll change that next year.

"It just feels like the last six years have just flown by, they really have. It�s crazy to think I�ve done six years in F1. My memory is pretty good � I remember pretty much all my races, good and bad."

So what have been the highlights?

"The first pole position, I suppose, in Imola. A lot of the races have been very exciting. Turkey this year was great, for example. We haven�t had the car this year, so to be so strong there was very exciting, going past both Ferraris, both Red Bulls and Alonso. It was an enjoyable race, and there have been a few like that."

Jenson admits that a few possible wins slipped away last year, when he was usually the main challenger to Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

"In Monaco last year if the safety car had come out at the right time, we would have won the race. In Hockenheim there�s a good chance we would have won if we hadn�t been put back 10 places for our engine blowing up in practice. There are so many ifs and buts, but we haven�t won a race, and that�s it. We�ve just got to look forward to the future now and making a car that�s quick enough to achieve our goal."

A more intriguing question perhaps is what achievement is Jenson most proud of at this stage in his career? He has an interesting answer.

"Probably the way that I�ve built myself up in the team, really, not just being a guy that�s going to come in and leave in a year or two, and really being a part of a team and making a difference. A lot of drivers aren�t like that. There are a few in F1, but a lot of them race, go home, and that�s it. They don�t go to the factory, they don�t push the team, and that�s very different to the way I am. I give everything I can so that I achieve, and so does the team. I�m an important part of the team and my point of view is well respected."