Button confident of making impression
Jenson Button claims he is “stronger than ever before” as he prepares for the start of the new Formula One season in Bahrain this weekend.
The Englishman made it to 100 grands prix without a win last season but impressive testing form has seen the newly-renamed Honda team emerge as genuine contenders.
Button arrives in Bahrain this weekend to start his seventh season in Formula One and claims he and his Honda team are better prepared than ever before.
The 26-year-old said: “Our pre-season testing programme has been extremely positive.
“The car was strong and reliable from the start which has enabled us to complete plenty of mileage and given me the confidence to push the development from an early stage.
“I tried to complete as much testing as possible over the winter, which is reflected by the amount of kilometres I have driven.
“I have also been training hard and feel mentally and physically stronger than ever before.”
Unlike previous seasons, when non-European testing was banned, Honda spent a week in Bahrain preparing for this weekend’s race.
Button hopes that extra work will give him an edge this weekend over several rivals, who turned down the opportunity to run at Sakhir.
“Testing in Bahrain in February was hugely beneficial for us and we are the only Michelin team to have tested the tyres and our car in the hot conditions prior to the race,” he added.
“I think that we have a really competitive package, and although this is the first time we will really see where we are compared to the other teams, I hope to be challenging for wins.
“I can’t wait for the racing to begin this weekend.” Button has a new team-mate this year in Rubens Barrichello and sporting director Gil de Ferran is optimistic.
He said: “The car has certainly shown a lot of promise in terms of speed in the hands of our three drivers and all of us at Honda are really excited and looking forward to the race in Bahrain.
“We will find out how we truly measure up against our competition.”
While Button and Barrichello have 19 seasons’ experience of Formula One between them, rookie Nico Rosberg will make his debut this weekend.
The German, son of former world champion Keke, has graduated to Formula One with Williams after winning the inaugural GP2 title last season.
Rosberg, 20, has acquitted himself well in testing and expects to prove he deserves his place on the grid.
He said: “After so much testing, it’s going be good to finally race and it will be very interesting to see where we are compared with the others teams.
“I’m very confident, though, as the recent tests have been going well for me and I feel very much at home in the car.
“I am looking forward to my first Formula One race, especially because it’s on a track that I really enjoy and one that I have had great success at having won the GP2 championship there last year.”
