Jenson Button, who favours wet conditions, is hoping for rain at Fuji Speedway. Photo / Reuters
FUJI - Jenson Button led the Honda charge in qualifying at rival Toyota's rain-soaked Fuji Speedway track, securing a season-best sixth place on the grid for tonight's Japanese Grand Prix.
"I love these wet conditions," said Button, who won in the wet in Hungary last year.
Toyota's
noses were further rubbed in it as Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher finished a lowly 13th and 15th, with German Schumacher left fuming after crashing into Sakon Yamamoto.
Although Honda owns the Suzuka circuit, replaced this year on the F1 calendar by Fuji, Button labelled the grand prix a home race for his team.
"A really good qualifying session today and I am obviously pleased that we put in a strong performance at our home race and in front of all the Honda fans here at Fuji," said Button.
"The driver can really make a difference in these conditions so we will be hoping for a wet race as we have a great starting position and there is everything to play for at this end of the grid.
"I'm really looking forward to the race tomorrow and if it is wet then we have a chance to score some points."
Team mate Rubens Barrichello, winner in Suzuka in 2003 with Ferrari, said Button's dazzling display made up for his disappointment at finishing 16th.
"I am happy for the team as Jenson did a good job today," Barrichello said.
- REUTERS
