Jenson Button

Thank you LuNo! Is he staying in Honda?

You're welcome Dajana

Yes, he is

Jenson: Lewis missed his chance

Jenson Button claims that his countryman Lewis Hamilton may never win the World Championship after falling short in his debut season.

The Honda driver told the Mail on Sunday: "He (Hamilton) is a great driver, but there are lots of great drivers in Formula One who did not have his package."

"What would worry me is the lost opportunity. You can't say in my sport: 'Oh well, I only missed out by a point so next year I'll go one better.' It doesn't work out like that."

Going into the penultimate round of the season the 22-year-old had a twelve point lead over his team-mate Fernando Alonso and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, but ended up losing the title race to Raikkonen.

"He should be sick as a dog because another chance like that might not come round again," noted a rather jealous-sounding Button.

Button will leave if Honda doesn't improve

Jenson Button has warned Honda that if the team does not improve significantly next season, he will look for a drive elsewhere. The comments come at a critical time for the Honda team after a dismal season.

"The car was a complete dog and I'm not interested in racing like this any more," Button told the Mail on Sunday newspaper. "I remember after Hungary this year wanting to hit something. I won that race a year ago and now I was sitting in something undriveable."

"I have to start winning and if I don't then I have to be ruthless," Button added. "There's an option in my contract which means we can all sit down and discuss the future at the end of the season. I things don't work out that's exactly what I'll be doing."

"I'm not expecting to win the championship, but I do expect a dramatic improvement," he warned.

Button confident Brawn will revive fortunes

Jenson Button is confident Ross Brawn will be able to revive Honda's fortunes when he joins the outfit at the end of the month. Button's latest comments come after he warned Honda bosses he wouldn't stand for another poor season and if significant improvement is not made, he would be looking elsewhere for the 2009 season.

"I'm really happy and I think Ross is what the team needs," Button said. "Ross has so much F1 experience."

"While one man doesn't turn a whole team around, his input, guidance and direction are going to make a massive difference," he added. "He's done it all before and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Q & A with Jenson Button

Q. How did it feel to be back in the cockpit?

Jenson Button: It is good to be back in the car, it's different to the last time I drove it. I am not having a lot of electronics in the car so it is good. For the last few days we have been working on electronics, trying to make the car more drivable, the engine a bit more drivable, so it has been a busy couple of days.

Still we are not where we want to be with it, but it has been a positive couple of days, making a step forward instead of not knowing where we are going. We've got a direction, which is good.

Q. Is it still fun to drive?

JB: Definitely, it is not exactly .... In a lot of corners you really don't feel the difference. Yes, starts are going to be more fun. We have not done much work on the starts yet.

Q. The appointment of Ross Brawn, how are you taking it?

JB: I am very happy, you know. I think this is what the team needs. The guy has got so much experience in F1. One man does not turn round the whole team but I think his input, his guidance and his direction are going to make a big difference. He has done it all before and I am really looking forward to working with him.

I have spoken to the guy and I cannot wait to meet up with him. I have not met him since he has become part of the team. I hope I will meet him soon and we run through a few things. I think everyone is excited about the new appointment. Ross coming to us is amazing but we also have lot of other people coming to the team. I expect them to do a great job, and Ross adds to that."

Q. Were you glad this season is now done and over with?

JB: It was not an easy season, and the car was not very good, but the important thing is we realised the issues, we made changes and it worked. And we have changed our direction and our thinking, especially aerodynamically. We are on the right track, and I am happy with the way things are going.

It might have been written differently in the press but it was written very badly. Normally when you say positive and negative you get your positive put forward not the negative. I have always said that this year's car was very difficult to drive, and not very good. I do not think the team minds me saying that, the important thing is we knew the problems.

As a team we are very strong. We have made a lot of improvements to the 2007 car but already on the new car it is already looking positive. I am really happy.

Q. Have you seen the new car, or bits of it already?

JB: Of course, I have been to the factory ... it is on the right track.

Q. What did you think of Michael Schumacher's return?

JB: He did well. He got into one of the best cars, which is always nice. He did a good job. I think it is useful for the team, with the experience he has. I think it is another view of things, which is useful.

Kovalainen will push Hamilton - Button

Jenson Button says Lewis Hamilton shouldn't expect an easy ride from new team mate Heikki Kovalainen when the two drive for McLaren in 2008. Kovalainen was confirmed as Fernando Alonso's replacement at the end of last week.

"I'm sure Kovalainen is not interested in just finishing a few races in front, I'm sure he wants to go for the title," Button told Reuters. "He won't hold back just because he's got Lewis as a team mate. I think it's good for both of them."

"He's a great guy and deserves to stay in a team," Button added about Kovalainen. "Having him not racing in F1 would be wrong. It's great that he's got a drive."

Jenson & Flo