Button expects F1 rivals to close the gap (News Feature)

By Elmar Dreher Apr 27, 2009, 13:16 GMT

Sakhir, Bahrain - Jenson Button's third victory in four races makes him the man to beat but the Briton expects his Formula One rivals to mount a strong challenge when racing comes to Europe.

After winning the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, Button forecast a tougher time for the Brawn GP team when F1 arrives at Barcelona for the Spanish Grand Prix on May 10.

'We don't know where everyone's going to be when we get to Europe,' he said.

'It's exciting for F1. There's been change already and I think there will be more. It's just what F1 needed.'

Button leads the world championship by 12 points from his Brawn GP team-mate, Rubens Barrichello, with Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel a further point behind.

But there are signs that some of the more established teams are beginning to pick up pace following modifications as a result of the ruling which went against them in the diffuser row.

Brawn GP and Button have benefited from their diffuser design to win the Australian and Malaysian Grands Prix as well as Sunday's race at Sakhir, while Button was also third in the rain at Shanghai.

Brawn GP boss Ross Brawn said the team was also planning updates to their car for the Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

Button's performance was meanwhile praised by British media.

'The exuberant Button is loving every minute of a season that has already brought him more success than his previous nine years in the sport altogether,' the Times wrote.

The Independent said: 'The championship-leading Briton has been the quickest and most consistent driver so far but, as McLaren's world champion Lewis Hamilton showed on Bahrain on Sunday, the rest are picking up the pace.'

It added: 'By the time the 10 teams gather again in Barcelona for next week's Spanish Grand Prix, the new world order may have changed again.'

In Italy, there was relief that Ferrari were in the points for the first time this season, courtesy of a sixth place for Kimi Raikkonen.

'These days three points are enough for a half-smile for Ferrari, 'Gazzetta dello Sport wrote.

'Yes, Button has become a Schumi (Michael Schumacher). Jenson again drove a perfect race. He is a title aspirant.'

Vettel's second place following his victory in Shanghai puts him also among the title hopefuls.

At the other end of the scale, BMW Sauber's disappointing season took a nosedive with 18th and 19th places for Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld.

'We are taking on this challenge in a positive way,' said BMW sports director Mario Theissen. 'I am convinced that with the development steps we have planned we will free ourselves from this unsatisfying position.'

McLaren-Mercedes meanwhile took heart from Hamilton's fourth place and also have some major updates to the car for Barcelona.

However, Hamilton still expects McLaren to be off the pace.

'When we get to Barcelona I think the gap will be bigger - they will be a bit further ahead because it's a high downforce circuit,' Hamilton said.

'We will have to challenge for the top 10. I think the top five might be harder.'

McLaren though have to get through a hearing by the FIA World Council in Paris on Wednesday when they face charges arising from the Australian Grand Prix when it was found they misled race stewards.

The team could face harsh sanctions, including even expulsion from the world championship

Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One commercial rights-holder, who is a member of the FIA council, said Sunday he was certain that the organization would hand down a 'fair punishment.'