Button grabs fifth after 'nightmare'

Jenson Button was happy with his qualifying effort for the Italian Grand Prix after a "nightmare" weekend so far.

The 26-year-old was unable to even turn a lap on Friday after serious Honda engine trouble and saw his preparations disrupted on Saturday as well. Despite that, he set the sixth fastest time at Monza and was promoted to fifth after Fernando Alonso was stripped of his final qualifying times for blocking Felipe Massa.

Button said: "It has been a tough weekend. I didn't do any running on Friday and then this morning I didn't get to run new tyres because part of the car fell off so we stopped. We went out with new tyres in first qualifying and then got the red flag so it has been a nightmare."

He added: "To be sixth I am pretty happy as we are struggling to get one lap out of the car this weekend. I think we have a good package for the race and compared to Turkey I think we are stronger.

"I was very happy with the lap - I don't think I could have done any better.

"I am looking at a better result than sixth in the race - our race pace is surprisingly good. It's going to be better than sixth."

Fellow British hopeful David Coulthard was less impressed with his own qualifying effort.

He missed the cut in second qualifying and must start down in 14th on a track he claims shows up Red Bull's failings.

He said: "I think we are all disappointed with our rate of development and we are firmly at the back of the main group of cars on this type of circuit.

"Unfortunately, this type of track tends to highlight some deficiencies of our overall package."