Button's girl makes the Earth car move

[The Stig]

A surprise contender has emerged for one of the many technical roles Honda are trying to fill. Her name is Florence Brudenell-Bruce, nicknamed Flee, kinswoman of the Earl of Cardigan and girlfriend of Jenson Button.

   
On the button: the tactically astute Florence Brudenell-Bruce 
A text from Flee before the race to her beloved read: "It is going to rain today. The strategy is vital." It did rain, and the strategy was vital. She's in. It was the prelude to as good a day as Button has had all year in Honda's Earth car. Eighth would not ordinarily float Button's boat. This has been no ordinary year.

For the first time in 2007 Button had a car beneath him that he liked. It showed with an assured drive that allowed him to trouble the old scoreboard for the first time this season.

"We hadn't moved forward that much in qualifying but in the race we showed we have good pace," Button said. "To finish six seconds behind the quickest Renault and not too far behind the BMWs is a good step forward and something we can build on for the future. I thought there was a possibility of a point but I didn't expect to be so close to those cars. It is a great result for us. That's what we needed."

With the British Grand Prix just seven days away, Honda could not have timed their effort better. Button has not enjoyed the fanfare at Silverstone that accompanied the careers of Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill - and next week Lewis Hamilton will be the love interest of a partisan crowd on his Silverstone debut.

advertisementNevertheless, yesterday was a Champagne moment of sorts and bodes well for the second half of the year. Button said: "This point was well-deserved for the whole team. It is a massive base to work on. I was 30 seconds behind Hamilton, who was third. That's not bad. Normally we are two laps and 30 seconds off him.

"Hopefully we can get the same sort of thing at Silverstone. It is not the point that's a relief. It's a relief to drive a car that feels good, and is consistent."

And the expert at your side, Jenson? "My missus sent me a text. It was very impressive. She said it is going to rain and the strategy is vital, which was pretty hilarious but she was right."

[Dare]

if only Button could pick his teams as well
as his women

[The Stig]

Yes dare,What she going to look like when she is FIFTY?

[Ian]

Bit skinny tho' ain't she

[Wizzo]

Put it this way Ian - I wouldn't climb over her to get to you! 

[Ian]

Thank God for small mercies Wizard