Button vows aggression as title bid gathers pace

JENSON BUTTON is hoping to find the right blend of caution and aggression as he looks to wrap up his maiden championship title in the remaining four races of the season.

The 29-year-old made a fine start to the year as he won six of the first seven races to storm to the top of the drivers’ championship standings.

However, he has not won a race since and only made a return to the podium at Monza earlier this month, finishing second, with Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello claiming his second win in three to cut Button’s lead to 14 points.

Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher recently backed Button to fend off Barrichello’s challenge and win the championship.

And while Button knows a circumspect approach in the final four races could still yield him the title, he believes a certain amount of positive driving will also be necessary.

“It is a great position to be in and I am very privileged to be leading the championship but it is also a tricky one as a driver as you are here to win and challenge for victory,” Button said.

“But you can also think that I only have to finish just behind my team-mate in every race now and I would still win the championship by six or eight points.

“It is a difficult one but I think as soon as you start backing off and taking it easier that is when problems start.

“You have got to go out and be aggressive but it is always in the back of your mind about finishing the races and being consistent.

“I am looking forward to the next four races as they are all circuits I love. They suit our car and suit me.”

Button’s title bid continues at this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix as Formula One looks to put behind it the latest scandal that has hit the sport.

Renault on Monday were given a suspended ban from Formula One following the revelations that Nelson Piquet Jr was ordered to crash at the inaugural night race in Singapore last year.

Button refused to get drawn into the controversy, insisting he is focused solely on events on the circuit rather than those off it.

“I am an individual so I can’t speak for the sport and for the spectators but it is obviously sad,” he added.

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton has refused to look upon the current Formula One season as a failure and instead labelled the whole experience as “character building”.

The McLaren driver is unable to defend the world championship title he won last year after a disappointing season in which he has managed just one solitary victory.

Hamilton trails leader Button by an insurmountable 53 points meaning he has nothing but pride to race for in the remaining four races.

McLaren arrive in Singapore with one final upgrade in place for their current car before the team turn their efforts towards developing for next season.

And though Hamilton is understandably disappointed at having to relinquish the world title, he is confident the experience has made him stronger as both a driver and a person.

“I am always pushing and I am always trying to improve as a driver and as human being,” he said. “I always try to improve in all kinds of areas, not just on the track but also off it.

“I must never forget where I have come from, to be sitting here with number one on my car and having the title of world champion I can never forget where I have come from and how hard it was to get to where I am.

Hamilton finished third at the inaugural race at the Marina Bay street circuit last year and is relishing the chance to race on it once again.

“It feels great to be back, the weather looks good and the track looks great so I am very excited,” he added.