• Japanese Grand Prix - Qualifying

Button confident about hard tyre choice

ESPNF1 Staff
October 10, 2010 « Hamilton laments nightmare weekend so far | »
Jenson Button qualified on hard tyres © Press Association
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Jenson Button is confident his alternative tyre strategy for the Japanese Grand Prix could pay off.

Button opted to use the harder tyres in qualifying while the rest of the top 10 set their times on softs. Under the regulations, the drivers have to start the race on the tyres they used in Q3, meaning Button will be able to run longer in the race on the more durable tyre. However, the real advantage could come when he changes to the soft once the track has more rubber on it, giving him an davantage over his rivals in the closing stages.

When asked if he made the right choice, Button said: "I don't know, I felt better on the prime. Obviously when you get more and more soft tyre rubber down, maybe it doesn't work as well, but I was pretty happy. I tried to do a third lap in Q3 but that didn't work - we should have done just one lap with less fuel.

"I'll be starting the race from fifth on a different strategy to everyone else, we'll see how it works. It's possibly a gamble. I don't think it's a big one. The soft tyre for us on Friday was a bit difficult to handle, so we'll see what it's like on the prime.

"Everyone else is on the soft tyre and overtaking is always difficult around here, but we'll give it a good shot."

Button will start from fifth on the grid after moving up a place due to team-mate Lewis Hamilton's grid penalty.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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