He said: “This year is going to be a good year for us, not just me but also Formula One. It’s going to be the best year for a long while. It’s going to be very competitive and there’ll be some very good racing. It won’t just be the red cars winning.

“We are always going to say it will be better than last year but I think it will be a lot more exciting. I think the rule changes will help the sport, with less downforce it will make for better racing.

“More so than all the rule changes, the biggest difference is Ferrari. If they are not as strong as they were last year that is the biggest thing for Formula One.

“Over one lap I don’t they’ll be as strong as they were last year. They’ll still be quick but it’s whether they’ll be quick enough in the race to not worry about their qualifying run.”

Button starts the season with just one aim in mind, winning his and BAR’s first-ever grand prix.

But after a difficult winter of testing, the Englishman is keen to play down hopes of a world title challenge.

Renault and McLaren both start the season as favourites to challenge Ferrari’s dominance after seemingly outpacing BAR in testing but Button is still hopeful of a maiden win.

He added: “It hasn’t been a perfect winter, I don’t think it has for any team. But we are on the right track now and we are moving forward. We can get on with what we do best and get on with our programme.

“I do think the McLarens and the Renaults are very quick, they do seem to be very consistent in the long runs but we don’t know what they’ve been doing in testing. We’ll find out when qualifying comes on Saturday.

“In testing the McLaren has pretty much always been quicker than us, as has the Renault. But we’ve been quicker than the Ferraris most of the time and that is very unusual.”

Away from the battle at the front of the grid, doubts remain over the participation of Minardi this weekend but rival drivers have expressed their support for Formula One’s perennial strugglers.

Minardi boss Paul Stoddart wants to use an updated version of their 2004 car which does not comply with new technical regulations, but he needs unanimous approval from the other nine teams.

Ferrari are yet to offer their support while the new owners of Red Bull Racing and Jordan, Minardi’s two closest rivals, have not backed Stoddart’s plan either.

Local hero Mark Webber, who made his Formula One debut in a Minardi, is hoping the row can be resolved soon.

The Williams driver said: “I’d be very disappointed if Paul wasn’t racing here. The fans are very much behind Minardi.”

World champion Schumacher added: “They are good guys. Paul is very nice and it’s unfortunate to hear these things.”

Stoddart and Ferrari counterpart Jean Todt will discuss the issue tonight in Melbourne prior to tomorrow’s first practice.