JUNE 26, 2001

Button shows admiration for Spaniard Alonso

DESPITE languishing dangerously close to the bottom of the championship table, Benetton's Jenson Button has taken time out to pay tribute to the efforts of Minardi, and in particular their young Spanish driver Fernando Alonso.

Button has suffered at the back of the grid this season and has often found himself at the start of races battling with the Minardis of Alonso and Tarso Marques.

That has given the British driver, who last season with Williams was battling for points in the top-six, the chance to assess the minnows of Formula One.

"It is quite close," said Button. "I think they've done a good job at Minardi and, yeah, at the moment we are fighting with Alonso. I think Alonso is quick.

"He's not in the best car out there and I'm quite impressed with what he's doing."

Button, of course, would prefer to be battling higher up the field but with Benetton in a transitional period that is not expected to happen until later this season.