Button gets back to business

Jenson Button enters unchartered waters in Turkey when, for the first time in his career, he starts a weekend as a grand prix winner.

The 26-year-old’s stunning triumph three weeks ago in a damp Budapest finally broke his duck at the 113th attempt and he has had Formula One’s summer break to lap up the plaudits.

Button’s delayed celebrations began after a promotional trip to China but after toasting his first win, he is now keen to get back down to business in Istanbul.

The Honda driver said: “It feels like it’s been a complete whirlwind since our first win together.

“But now that I have had the chance to celebrate properly and a week or so of rest and relaxation, I am ready to get back in the car again and make the most of the remaining five races.

“There have been some very special moments over the past couple of weeks and I’ll remember those for ever but it’s time now to crack on with the Turkish Grand Prix and the rest of the season.”

Button had claimed prior to his historic victory that Turkey – and not Hungary - was best suited to his car.

He enjoyed one of his strongest races of 2005 in Istanbul when he stormed from 13th on the grid to fifth at the flag and he is hoping for another reason to celebrate this weekend.

He added: “In Hungary, everything came together for us when it counted and it has given the whole team renewed motivation. We never doubted our potential but now we know we are winners.

“There are likely to be challenging times again over the coming races but our car is well suited to the Istanbul Park Circuit and we are capable of a good result there.

“I really enjoyed the circuit last year and had a good race so I am looking forward to the weekend.”

While Button has been given a chance to celebrate a long-awaited, and well-deserved, first win, his Honda team have been hard at work.

Sporting director Gil de Ferran insists the team’s first win – and Honda’s first since the 1960s – has not distracted them from the job in hand in Turkey.

“Since Hungary, the team’s focus has been firmly on the Turkish Grand Prix and the remaining races of the season,” he said.

“Last year, the Istanbul Park Circuit was the scene of one of our better races and this year, once again, we are hoping to be in the thick of the fight.”