Formula One world champion Jenson Button has set his sights on the successful defence of his title, but remains less certain about his path back to the winner`s podium after a disappointing season opener.
|Last Updated: Mar 23, 2010, 12:40 PM IST|Source: Bureau
London: Formula One world champion Jenson Button has set his sights on the successful defence of his title, but remains less certain about his path back to the winner`s podium after a disappointing season opener.
Despite feeling "completely at home" with McLaren and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton, the British driver said his new team would still be playing catch-up at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
"I think Red Bulls are very strong, I think the Ferraris are very strong, and then it`s probably us," Button, champion with Brawn GP, now Mercedes, told Reuters in a track-side interview at the Albert Park street circuit on Tuesday.
"But I`m hoping with the circuit change and a few little updates we`ll be closer to them and maybe challenging them here."
Button started eighth and finished seventh in a frustrating race in the season opener in Bahrain on March 14, reeling in Red Bull`s Mark Webber but ultimately being shut out by Mercedes` seven times world champion Michael Schumacher who finished sixth.
Team mate and 2008 champion Hamilton finished third behind a Ferrari one-two after Red Bull`s Sebastian Vettel suffered an engine problem to drop from first to fourth.
"The first race for us was difficult. I don`t think the car suited Bahrain too well," said Button.
"I think it will suit this circuit better. It`s a lower downforce circuit so we have to wait and see.”
"A podium would be fantastic here (in Melbourne). I think that has to be the aim. I think it`s a possibility and you`ve got to set your sights pretty high."
Despite concerns over McLaren`s pace in Bahrain -- Button has taken some comfort in his return to Albert Park, where he won from pole last year on the way to six victories in seven starts that ultimately led to the title.
"It`s great coming back here, because this is all where it started last season. This is where my first pole of the season was and my first win.”
"So it was a very emotional moment last year and hopefully we can have something similar this year.”
"It`s going to be a very competitive season, but the aim has to be -- to be world champion.”
"I need to be in a position that I have a car that can be competitive enough to fight for race wins, and then it`s more or less down to (me)."
Button`s bid for a podium finish this year in Melbourne will start in daylight and end in twilight, something the Briton handled with aplomb last year despite complaints from drivers and his own personal misgivings about safety.
"It sounds petty, but it`s not. It can be dangerous if you`ve got the sun in your eyes and you can`t see where you`re going."
"But I`d rather be racing in the day, even a twilight race for me, I`d rather that than the night-time.”
"Out in front`s probably not such a bad place to be (as the sun sets), so hopefully we can put ourselves in the same place and won`t have to worry."
Bureau Report
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies Setting
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device and the processing of information obtained via those cookies (including about your preferences, device and online activity) by us and our commercial partners to enhance site navigation, personalise ads, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. More information can be found in our Cookies and Privacy Policy. You can amend your cookie settings to reject non-essential cookies by clicking Cookie Settings below.
Manage Consent Preferences
Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. They are usually only set in response to actions made by you which amount to a request for services, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in or filling in forms. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work or you may not be able to login.
Functional Cookies
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
Targeting Cookies
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They are also used to limit the number of times you see an advert as well as help measure the effectiveness of an advertising campaign. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
Performance Cookies
These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. They help us to know which pages are the most and least popular and see how visitors move around the site. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies we may not know when you have visited our site, and may not be able to monitor its performance.