Jenson Button showed why the leading teams increasingly fear Brawn GP’s pace ahead of next week’s Australian Grand Prix by finishing its pre-season work top of the tree at Jerez.
After Fernando Alonso interrupted the Brackley squad’s stunning run of timesheet-topping form on Monday, Button returned Brawn to the head of the order on Tuesday with the best time seen at the circuit this winter.
His 1m17.844s lap was half a second faster than Alonso’s earlier benchmark and came during 114 laps as conditions continued to prove warm and sunny, if increasing windy, in Spain.
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Team owner Ross Brawn says his squad is looking forward to showing its car’s potential for real in Melbourne having demonstrated both impressive pace and reliability levels despite completing just two tests with the BGP 001.
“The test in Jerez has been particularly useful and allowed the drivers to complete valuable chassis set-up work and evaluate the Bridgestone Potenza tyre compounds which we will use in Melbourne.
“We look forward to the first race and the opportunity to finally see the car in action in a competitive environment,” he said.
“We have had a very useful test in Jerez this week, particularly today where we have been able to fine-tune the set-up of the car to my liking ahead of the first race,” said Button. “Even after such a short testing programme, I feel that we are ready for the challenge ahead in Melbourne, however we will still need every minute of the Friday practice sessions to make the most of our first race weekend.”
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Rosberg managed 66 laps in the FW31, before an accident brought his programme to a premature end. Kazuki Nakajima will take over for Williams on Wednesday.
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