Button 'open-minded' about Oz chances



Jenson Button is remaining cautious about Brawn GP's chances in the season-opener in Melbourne, but is confident that the team will be among the front-runners.

After a winter of turbulence and uncertainty, the former Honda squad's future was secured just weeks before the season – and the Mercedes-powered BGP 001 chassis then stunned the paddock by dominating winter testing once it hit the track.

That pace has made Button many people's favourite for Australian Grand Prix victory, but while pleased to have a competitive package after two years of misery, he isn't taking anything for granted yet.

“It’s not a pressure, definitely not, it’s a nice feeling," he said.

“We’ve done seven days of testing and I’ve driven the car for three days, which normally wouldn’t be enough.



Jenson Button is remaining cautious about Brawn GP's chances in the season-opener in Melbourne, but is confident that the team will be among the front-runners.

After a winter of turbulence and uncertainty, the former Honda squad's future was secured just weeks before the season – and the Mercedes-powered BGP 001 chassis then stunned the paddock by dominating winter testing once it hit the track.

That pace has made Button many people's favourite for Australian Grand Prix victory, but while pleased to have a competitive package after two years of misery, he isn't taking anything for granted yet.

“It’s not a pressure, definitely not, it’s a nice feeling," he said.

“We’ve done seven days of testing and I’ve driven the car for three days, which normally wouldn’t be enough.

“We’ve been reliable-ish, so we’ve been able to get quite a bit done in that time.

“I feel comfortable in the car; I feel that I’ve made it quite personal to myself, which is good.

"But we’re coming here with an open mind, for sure.

“Testing is one thing and for sure we’ve been reasonably reliable and we’ve done some good lap times.

“But in 2006 we had a quick car in testing and we got to the first race and we got blown away by the Ferraris, so you never know until you turn a wheel here.

“I have a feeling we’re not going to be slow.

“But how quick, we have to wait and see.”

Brawn's prospects have been clouded today with the confirmation that several rival teams have lodged official protests against its diffuser design.

Toyota and Williams have also had their cars challenged for the same reason.

Source: itv-f1 (as always!)