JANUARY 22, 2004

Button blasts them

Jenson Button smashed the lap record in Barcelona on Thursday with a lap of 1m14.607s, about a second faster than the previous best. It is not clear what specification the BAR-Honda interim car was running in but it was obviously quick even if the fuel load was very low. Michael Schumacher was second fastest in a Ferrari, lapping in 1m15.410s ahead of Fernando Alonso and Ralf Schumacher in the Williams. Testing times should not be treated too seriously but Button's time is mightily impressive and the F1 circus is now awaiting the new BAR-Honda with much expectation.

In Valencia, it is worth noting that David Coulthard also set a new lap record in his new McLaren with a lap of 1m109.697s.