Button chances lost along with his KERS unit

November, 13th 2011 (F1plus Team).- Jenson Button was happy with a third pace finish under the circumstances, since he lost his KERS unit hampering his chances of a higher final position.

After the early demise of Sebastian Vettel, the 2009 Champion ran second to team-mate Lewis Hamilton but immediately lost the place to Fernando Alonso.

Later, Button lost his KERS power boost on lap 12, dropping him off the pace of leaders Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso and into the clutches of Mark Webber and Felipe Massa behind. Button still managed to take a solid third place by the chequered flag, but admitted it had been a tough race.

“By Lap 13 or 14 I didn't have any KERS, which wasn't great,” a somewhat philosophical Button said after the race. “For the next stint, they said what I could do to get KERS it back and I did get it back, but it only lasted two laps.”

He also explained that he was constantly resetting the power-boosting system.

“You get a certain amount of engine braking from KERS, when it's working, but every time I arrived at a corner I just didn't know what to expect!” he continued. “I also had to fend off Webber and Massa, which was quite interesting without KERS…so I am relatively happy to make it home in third.”

Button is now on the verge of finishing 2011 runner-up to World Champion Vettel, as he carries a 10-point lead over Alonso to the final round in Brazil.