Button to show 2009 was no flash in the pan? (Feature)

By George Burns Mar 3, 2010, 4:02 GMT

Berlin - Defending world champion Jenson Button heads into the 2010 Formula One season looking to show that his success in clinching a maiden championship last year was no once-off.

The 30-year-old Briton has since left Brawn GP (now Mercedes GP) for McLaren where he partners compatriot Lewis Hamilton in what is certain to be a competitive team.

However, McLaren and Button will face some stern opposition in what is shaping up to be a keenly contested 2010 season, especially from Ferrari, Mercedes and last year's runner-up in the constructors' championship, Red Bull.

This year I am more excited because of the competitiveness of the four top teams, plus Sauber and Williams,' Button said during a teleconference earlier this week.

Theres so much change this year, and I think it's all positive for the sport.'

The signs that his MP4-25 car is competitive are good. Button was quickest at the end of the two tests in Jerez while Hamilton managed to post the quickest lap on the final day of pre-season testing the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona Sunday.

But apart from the 2008 world champion, Ferrari's Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull and the returning Michael Schumacher at Mercedes GP look the strongest challengers for Button's crown.

'Having Michael back in the sport, I think its great for the sport and I'm looking forward to going head to head with him,' said Button.

So far, relations in the McLaren garage appear to be going well with Button and Hamilton both going about their business without causing friction within the team.

'Working together is going very well, but the first race will give us a real indication of just how different are our demands on the car,' said Hamilton in an interview with Autosport magazine.

'I'm sure, once we get to the first race and we have to overlook one another's driving styles, I have no doubt there will be things I can learn from him, and he can learn from me.'

Button admits that having Hamilton as a team-mate is a 'tough challenge', but added that he is looking forward to it.

'I'm hoping my chances are good,' he said. 'In testing our car's been very reliable, which is always important for a long season.'

The McLaren driver isn't too concerned about the rule changes for 2010, the biggest of which is a ban on refuelling.

'My driving style - I think it does work with the new regulations. I think most drivers on the grid can adapt to it,' said Button.

'It's still a different way of driving for me though because it is like an endurance race, like racing at Le Mans I suppose, you really have to look after the tyres when you're on heavy fuel.'

However, the moment of truth as to where Button stands in the race for the drivers' title this year comes on March 14 in Sakhir.

'It's going to be an interesting afternoon in Bahrain,' he said.

'I think we're going to learn a lot there - we've learned a lot already - but we'll really understand what other people are up to and what sort of strategies are going to work for us for the rest of the year.'