Button confident on Turkish security concerns

JENSON BUTTON brushed aside security fears for this weekend's inaugural Turkish Grand Prix after discovering he will be sleeping next to armed guards at the Istanbul Otodrom.

The BAR-Honda driver uses his own luxury motorhome at European races - and after security concerns were raised in the build-up, he was delighted to discover his camping spot features an on-site police station.

Turkey has been devastated by terrorist attacks in recent months, with 16 bombs exploding this year and the British Government warning of a "high threat" from militants.

Organisers have been quick to calm fears by announcing increased security this weekend, including nearly 3,000 armed officers, and any fears Button may have had were quickly soothed.

He said: "There are a lot of places in the world where security isn't fantastic, but here you are in a place where they know security needs to be good. But also where my motorhome is I am very happy - it's next to a police station with armed guards on it all weekend. I don't feel any less safe than anywhere else."

Around 6,800 men and women - 2,800 of whom will carry guns - form the security force designed to protect Formula One this weekend, with numbers increased in the wake of last month's London bombings.

Mumtaz Tahincioglu, president of the Turkish motorsport federation, is convinced the measures - similar to those used in May's Champions League final - will be a success.

"Once you have a system that works, I think you don't want to change it," he said.

"What we are doing here will definitely signal to people that there are serious measures taken - don't try to do anything silly."

Button is expecting to suffer on-track this weekend, though, predicting the new circuit will take its toll on drivers.

The 130,000-seater facility has been warmly welcomed on to the Formula One calendar, but the undulating circuit will put extra strain on drivers in hot temperatures.

Formula One drivers train for more right-hand bends than left, because most circuits run clockwise. But Button is still excited by the challenge, saying: "I'm really looking forward to it; I'm really excited and I think every driver and every engineer is, because it's just an awesome-looking circuit.

"To go out now when it's finished and go around on the scooter, it is pretty spectacular. I think it's going to be very physical, and we are all going to suffer. However much training you do, I don't think you can train for that long left-hander."

Like Button, world championship leader Fernando Alonso is also impressed by the track - which holds grand ambitions of being instantly regarded as one of Formula One's best.

But despite its stunning appearance, Alonso fears the Otodrom will not inspire exciting racing. "I think there are places to overtake, like turn one. It is still very difficult these days in Formula One. You have an opportunity, but I think it will still be difficult. You have one place, maximum two places, no more."