Button confident of claiming first win in Malaysia

JENSON BUTTON is convinced he can break his Formula One victory duck in Malaysia this weekend.

The 26-year-old was denied a chance to fight for victory in Bahrain last weekend after a start-line problem cost him valuable seconds.

However, Button showed enough speed in his fight back to fourth place to convince him Honda can compete with the very best this season - starting at Sepang this weekend.

He said: “It was very disappointing but the important thing is we know our pace is there and we haven’t got to wait for two weeks to show that.

“Next weekend we will be racing and we can show the car’s pace. This car should work everywhere. The temperature for us is better for the tyres that we have, that’s great.

“It’s a good circuit, a lot of fun. You need very good aerodynamics and that’s good for us because our car is very aero-based.”

The Englishman called on Honda to ensure there is no repeat of the costly clutch problem which denied him a certain podium in Bahrain.

“We just have to sort our cars out,” he added. “If we solve that we are going to be challenging with the top two teams. If there is any issue like that it costs you massively. We are not going to take it lightly, we are going to be looking at everything and that won’t happen again.”

This weekend’s race is set to be the hottest of the year but Button believes that could work in favour of Honda.

“The hot conditions really suit our car,” he said.

“At least we are not coming away from last weekend with this issue and not being quick - we definitely have the speed compared to the top cars, it’s the quickest we’ve ever been.”

Button has some high-profile backers this season, with Scotsman David Coulthard joining those predicting an elusive first win.

“I really felt it was going to be his day in Bahrain,” Coulthard said. “He’ll win a grand prix this year.”