• Italian Grand Prix

Button says finishing second was a 'great result'

Jenson Button was happy with finishing second © Getty Images

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• News:
• Hamilton admits to mistake
  
• Report:
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• Race:
• Italian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button

• Teams:
• McLaren

Jenson Button said that second place at the Italian Grand Prix was a 'great result' although the McLaren driver led for the majority of the race.

Having taken the lead from pole-sitter Fernando Alonso at the start, Button lost out in the pit stops as Alonso emerged just ahead of the Englishman from the pit lane.

"I don't think we quite had the pace today compared to Ferrari," said Button. "But it was all going pretty well, I was pretty happy with the car. And then we decided to pit one lap earlier than Fernando. When I exited the pits, I had very little grip on the prime tyre. Lots of shuddering, which means the tyre just isn't working. So a little bit disappointing to find myself in that position and then see Fernando coming out of the pits in front.

"We obviously thought it was the right decision to come in a lap earlier than these two - but looking now I don't think it was the right call. I don't feel it worked for us today. But we got a good result out of it today, hopefully we will be as strong as this in Singapore."

Despite yielding the lead, Button was still happy with his second place that puts him to within 22 points of championship leader Mark Webber and just one behind Alonso.

"We had a good weekend and to come away with second is a great result. We wanted some points, for all three of us here, and we have done well for our championship hopes heading out of Europe. Obviously you want the top step, but some good points and I think for both of us we've done very well for our championship hopes and it's good heading out of Europe with a good points finish."

Team-mate Lewis Hamilton was less happy with his day after he retired on the first lap after breaking his steering arm in a collision with Felipe Massa.

"I don't remember much about it, to be honest. It was a mistake from myself and it's just one of those things that can happen when you're racing and pushing hard," said Hamilton. "The good thing is that Jenson is up there fighting for the lead, which is good for the team."

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