Schumacher expects to be pressed by Button

Michael Schuamcher believes Jenson Button will pose the biggest threat to maintaining his near-perfect record this season at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

With the one glaring exception of Monaco, Schumacher has proven unbeatable this year, winning the other six grands prix in convincing style in his Ferrari.

Schumacher holds a commanding 14-point lead over team-mate Rubens Barrichello, with Button a further eight points adrift as he is so far proving the best of the rest.

The 24-year-old has claimed five podium finishes in his BAR this year – twice runner-up and three times third – and with many in Formula One believing his first race win is close at hand.

This weekend’s race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has not been kind to BAR in the past, but on this occasion it is a track that should suit the car – and six-times world champion Schumacher knows it.

Schumacher, who won last year’s Canadian Grand Prix despite brake problems, reckons the circuit is similar to Imola where Button grabbed pole position for the San Marino Grand Prix and led early on, but had to settle for second.

“There are greater challenges on the [Formula One] calendar, but you still have to prepare correctly for this track,” said Schumacher.

“With it being a stop-go circuit, the brakes are understandably very important. Last year we had quite a few problems, but we have done our homework and we should go better this time.

“But I am assuming BAR are going to be very strong here because Montreal is a similar track to Imola where they were extremely strong. We can expect another good fight.”