Button ecstatic over 'amazing' P3 grid position

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Jenson Button was dealt a lucky hand in qualifying this afternoon, but made the most of a Q3 session he initially didn't even expect to be a part of.

At the end of the day however, the Brit put his McLaren in the top 5 thanks to some inspired riving in the tricky wet-to-dry conditions.

"I love those conditions, can we have those every race?," exclaimed Button.

" It's mega, it was an enjoyable session. I saved everything for the last lap, I took a lot of risk and luckily there was no yellow flags. It worked out, so I'll take it when I can."

Yet, he only scraped through to Q3 with a 0.006 edge over Haas' Esteban Gutierrez after almost ending in the gravel trap.

"I thought it was all over, to be fair, in Q2. I locked up into Turn 3, and it was spitting in Turn 1 and Turn 2, but the rain certainly affected me into Turn 3. I ran wide and thought 'oh no'.

"We just stayed in, and in Q3 we were quick on the wets and not bad on the dries either. Great to be starting from third, it's a good position. I'm gonna enjoy this moment."

"Amazing to start P3 tomorrow, it's a bit of luck – I'll take it, I don't feel like we've had much this year. I'm chuffed to bits, actually."

Button was at loss to really explain why he performed so remarkably, achieving his best qualifying results since the partnership between McLaren and Honda was renewed in 2014, but put it down to conditions and his natural ability perfectly lining up.

"There are conditions where I can't get the best out of the car, and because of the driving style I have there are conditions where I can. Corner by corner, I feel the grip I have into the corner, rather than the memory from the last lap."

While Button remains realistic about his chances of racing at the front tomorrow, he promises to race with his all his soul and give it his best.

"It's going to be a tough day as nobody really understands what the tyres are going to give us. Brits are first and third on the grid, I'm not sure we can hold it but we'll give it ago."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.