Fry puts heat on Button to win again

AS Jenson Button started life as a grand prix winner he was immediately challenged to prove his Hungarian heroics were no fluke by winning again.

Button, 26, finally tasted grand prix glory in his 113th race after a brilliant performance to charge through the field from 14th on the grid.

But after toasting a long-awaited win with his star driver, Honda boss Nick Fry quickly set new targets.

He said: “I have no doubts that Jenson Button has the ability to become world champion and I have no doubts that Honda as a team can give him the car to do so.

“The first win took a little while to do but now we have reached this point I think we can go forward.

“We want to win again and again and I am completely sure he can be world champion.”

Button had little time to celebrate his triumph, jetting off to China for a public relations event.

He had a long-haul flight during which to contemplate his new-found status among Formula One’s elite and said: “It hasn’t passed but you get used to winning quite quickly I think.

“We need to celebrate so we can start looking for the next one.”

Button’s dramatic win at a wet Hungaroring was a vindication of his decision to commit his long-term future to a team who had not won a race since their debut in 1999.

He had to pay around £10million from his own pocket to get out of a Williams contract for this year and, when Honda’s form dipped dramatically, that looked like money wasted.

Just two races ago Button was scrapping with back markers in France but a sudden improvement has rewarded his faith.

“I have definitely made the right choice to stay with Honda. My time at Honda has been fantastic but we have had some low times.” he said.

“Hopefully I can celebrate this win next week when I get back. Then we can look forward to Turkey because we have some things which will improve our performance again — in the dry and the wet.”

When he secured a long-term Honda deal, Button vowed to build a team around him to fire him to the very top in Formula One.

His boss Fry hailed the win as proof of a job well done, but claimed Button can be too nice to his team.

He said: “Jenson has been a fantastic team leader but I have been pushing him to be a bit more dominant and domineering.

“But he is always wanting to work with people as opposed to ranting and raving.

“When things have gone wrong he has always said it was us that got is wrong, not one person in particular.

“Credit to him, he has been a great team player and he has led this team to their first victory and hopefully more will come.”