DECEMBER 6, 2000
Button confident after first day
Button was ninth quickest behind fellow Briton David Coulthard, who set the fastest time on an intriguing day when nine of the 11 teams which will begin the season-opener in Australia on March 4 started their preparations for the new campaign.
But Button admitted that he felt under no pressure as he finished the session with a quicker time than Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, the man who usurped him from his seat at the Grove-based Williams team.
"My motivation is definitely higher than this time last year because I have got a lot more experience," Button said. "I am not going to a new circuit every other week not knowing what it is going to be like.
"I am more confident now and more confident in the team. I can make more demands this year because I know a lot more.
"I came on the circuit behind Montoya so we effectively did a lap together and it was interesting because I was quicker than him. I think I did a good job.
"It was good to get used to the car and we made a few positive changes throughout the day. I have driven four Formula One cars now and I feel like a veteran.
"It would be nice to finish the season ahead of Montoya but I would prefer to finish above Michael Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen."