Published>Sun, Jul 25 10 09:37 AM
Formula One champion Jenson Button put both his qualifying form and love life back on track at the German Grand Prix on Sunday.
After out-qualifying McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton for the first time since April, Button told reporters he had also renewed his romance with Argentine-Japanese lingerie model girlfriend Jessica Michibata.
The pair, inseparable last year when the 30-year-old Briton romped to the title with Brawn GP, split up in May but Michibata gave the game away in a message on her Twitter feed announcing that they were an item again.
"I'd better have a word with her about the internet," grinned Button. "You'll see her, she'll be in Hungary."
Button and Hamilton have had their legs pulled by rivals about how well they get on as team mates, with some describing the relationship as a 'love-in', but neither could be too content with their grid positions at Hockenheim.
Button qualified fifth, his best performance since Canada last month, while championship leader Hamilton will start Sunday's race sixth on the grid -- his lowest slot since China in April.
"I think we can still have a very good race," said Button, who roared from 14th on the grid to fourth in his home British Grand Prix two weeks ago.
"If you have looked at the speed traps, you'll notice that we are quite a bit quicker than the two teams in front of us. Maybe that isn't a positive thing in qualifying, but in the race I think it could help us as long as we can look after the tyres.
"I was reasonably happy with the lap," added Button, who is second and 12 points behind Hamilton in the overall standings with nine races remaining.
"I thought I'd be a little bit closer to the front when I crossed the finish line, I didn't think I was going to be seven tenths behind pole position."
McLaren have introduced a new 'blown diffuser' and floor for Germany after failing to get it to work properly at Silverstone and the drivers had no doubt that it represented a step forwards.
Team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the system had significant potential, with plenty of improvement to be unlocked.
"I think we probably have half or less than half of what is possible," he said. "I'm sure as races go by we'll get more from that.
"Once you've got this concept working, the aerodynamicists can start to work on details of the floor, they can start to work on the exhaust and how it interacts with the wheels and tyres. There is a lot of scope now to make some progress."
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