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World champion happy with third place despite
last-lap battle:
Button - Podium a ‘bonus’
 World Champion Jenson Button is
looking forward to further celebrations after finishing his season with
a “bonus” podium finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Starting fifth on
the grid at the Yas Marina circuit, the Brawn GP driver passed team-mate
Rubens Barrichello for fourth place on the opening lap. However, tyre
problems cost him in his opening stint and he had to wait until his
second stop and the use of soft compound tyres before pushing the car in
front, Red Bull’s Mark Webber. Although Button closed right on to
Webber’s tail during the closing laps, an all-out assault on the 55th
and last lap failed to see him move up to second.
Even so, the wheel-to-wheel duel was easily the highlight of the race
and one which left Button grinning from ear to ear in its immediate
aftermath.
“I was struggling a bit with the prime tyre but I tried to make the
best out of it,” he said. “After the second stop I found I had very good
grip and had good initial turn in and that was why I was able to close
down Mark.”
He added: “I couldn’t make the move stick. I was very excited by that
battle but Mark is a very difficult person to overtake.
“We were clean but on the edge. It’s disappointing not to get second
place but I enjoyed the fight.
 “Today was a bonus after winning title in Brazil, I enjoyed driving
this weekend. After Brazil it would have been easy to say let’s enjoy
ourselves and not worry about Abu Dhabi - but we did.“We should be proud
of what we achieved. But (Red Bull) had the legs on us so we could not
challenge.”
Time away
Button is now looking forward to time away from Formula One and the
chance to reflect upon a remarkable year.
“This is a good way to finish the season,” he added. “Coming away
with a podium is a nice way to finish the year. Now I’m going to enjoy
myself and celebrate what I’ve done. “I just want to enjoy this moment,
and then I’ll look to the future after that.”
skysports.com
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