Nationality British Team Lucky Strike BAR Honda Car BAR Honda 005 Technical director Geoff Willis
STATS	2003	CAREER
Rank	9	7*
Wins	0	0
Podiums	0	0
Top 8	7	26
Best finish	4	4 (five times)
DNFs	4	20
*Indicates career best points finish

2003 recap
The good: Button finished ninth in points, which made him the highest placed driver in the standings after the top eight drivers from the four big teams. The highly rated Jacques Villeneuve didn't outperform teammate Button by any means. Button led both the U.S. and Japanese Grands Prix.

The bad: Started the season bickering with Villeneuve. A heavy crash in practice for the Monaco Grand Prix kept Button out of the race. He almost certainly lost a podium finish when his engine expired while running in the top three at the U.S. Grand Prix. While his car was more reliable than Villeneuve's, Button still suffered some crucial retirements.

Key stat: Still chasing that elusive first podium finish

2004 outlook
BAR Honda and Button ended the season on a competitive high note, but keeping that fifth place in the Constructors Championship in 2004 is going to be a struggle, as competition is strong at that level. His playboy image long buried, Button has matured into an excellent driver and will perform well next season.

What needs to be done: Keep up that momentum that saw Button leading the last two races, and he and Takuma Sato finishing fourth and sixth in the season finale to vault the team into fifth place in the Constructors Championship. The team needs better reliability and better engine performance.

Key change: With Villeneuve gone, Button becomes the team's lead driver. BAR has switched from Bridgestone to Michelin tires.

Prediction: Button will earn his first podium finish in his fifth F1 season.

Did you know: Button, Villeneuve and David Coulthard parked their motor homes side-by-side at the European races. They are the only three F1 drivers to bring motor homes to the races. Coulthard, a friend to both, brokered a peace settlement between the bickering teammates so that they could camp out together without too many awkward moments.

Your take
Will Button finally get to spray the champagne with a podium finish? Can BAR Honda come out on top of the very competitive midfield teams? Here are your thoughts on Button's prospects for 2004.