JANUARY 8, 2001

Button pleased with fitness after attending Lanzarote training camp

JENSON BUTTON has said he is pleased with his level of fitness after attending Benetton's training camp in Lanzarote.

Button, who is loaned to Benetton from Williams for the next two seasons, attended the camp to increase his fitness after his debut year in 2000 and worked with Bernie Shrosbree, a former member of the SAS.

The British driver had admitted his fitness was not adequate in his debut season because he did not expect to race in Formula One, but now he is pleased with his progress.

"Going to a training camp for five or six days, away from everything, to just concentrate on training has been really good and really useful," said Button.

"I was slightly apprehensive about the intense training program, that averages four activities a-day and includes a two-and-a-half hour uphill bike rides. We had a really good team there and it has been lots of fun as well as hard work."

Benetton's test driver Mark Webber, who joined Button in Lanzarote, added: "Fitness is so important in Formula One that you can't afford not to take it seriously.

"So I'm really glad the team provide so many resources to get us to peak performance. I really get a lot out of these sessions."

Benetton started testing at the Jerez circuit in Spain today (Monday) and Button's team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella took up testing duties as Button attends a motorshow in Britain later this week.

Italian Fisichella did not attend the training camp and instead stayed in Rome to work on his recovery from a knee operation.