Button upbeat ahead of final four

Jenson Button believes BAR-Honda can look forward with confidence to the last four races of the season, starting in Belgium this weekend.

Button has returned to the front after his disastrous start to the season but his improved showings have still only heralded one podium finish.

The 25-year-old expects the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps this weekend to be the start of a strong run to bring the curtain down on a difficult campaign.

After his disappointing race at Monza – when third on the grid turned into eighth at the chequered flag – Button has put his faith in BAR’s tried-and-tested aerodynamic package.

He said: “I am definitely more optimistic. We knew as soon as we tested that the low aerodynamic package was not working in Monza and we know this package here, we have used it a couple of times this year and it has worked so far.

“We used it in the two North American races. We were really quick in Indy and it wasn’t bad in Canada either.

“We are looking forward to getting out there. Hopefully we are competitive again, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be. We have a new engine as well which could help us a little bit.”

Button hopes a competitive showing this weekend will just be the start and the Englishman has high hopes for the three long-haul grands prix which finish the season.

“The good thing for us is we are going to get better race by race,” he said.

“In the remaining races, here we could be quick and Brazil is a good circuit for us. In Japan we have a new aerodynamic package which will be a good step forward and then we have got China which we know we are very strong at. It’s very exciting for the rest of the year.”

However, Button’s optimism only stretches so far and he has once again ruled out a maiden win this year, which – barring any missed races – will see him reach a century of grands prix started.

“There’s no chance against the McLaren,” he added. “I know they are not 100% reliable and they have suffered with that this year but they are still something else. It’s going to be difficult.”

Unless he breaks that duck at Spa this weekend, Button is sure to be in the shadows of Fernando Alonso and Kimi Raikkonen, whose title battle could be concluded come Sunday.

If Renault ace Alonso scores four points more than his McLaren rival, he becomes Formula One’s youngest-ever world champion.