It's obvious when talking to him that Jenson Button is running through a lot of emotions during his first participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "It really is much harder at night. The chicanes are alright thanks to the big braking indicators. On the other hand, the Porsche Curves are a shock. Already during the day it's very fast, but at night you feel like you're going 500 km/h! It's not great either that there's this enormous bright billboard on the right as you turn. The first time around, it really gets to you! That's the kind of thing you don't think about but you have to get used to it. There are all these blue lights when you overtake. They're so big and bright that it's also a shock in the first laps. Your eyes and brain have to acclimate to the night and to the lights. You have to get used to the environment in which you're driving."

The atmosphere is extremely different from what he knew for 16 seasons in Formula 1. "Le Mans week feels like it lasts a month. It's as long as it is wonderful. Fans get close to the cars and to the drivers. It was fantastic to see so many people at Scrutineering downtown, in the paddock, in the grandstands, at the edge of the track. It's an amazing atmosphere, especially when it's dusk. After watching this on TV for so long and wanting to experience it myself, I have not been disappointed! It's spectacular. Incredible."

The idea of doing Le Mans had been in his mind for quite some time when his friend, driver James Rossiter, advised him to hurry up about it. "James told me I absolutely had to do Le Mans with these extraordinary cars that are so fast. He said I needed to hurry because new regulations were about to come out. I made the decision then and there! In F1, you balance your car to always understeer otherwise you're out. With these prototypes, there is so much grip! During my first laps, I was anxious because I kept expecting the car to lose grip but it didn't. You just need enough confidence to keep your speed. I'd hate not to understand that!"

PHOTO (Copyright - Jonathan Biche/ACO): Jenson Button in deep thought.