Button targets grand prix win

While Michael Schumacher and Ferrari are doing their best to convince sceptics they will not be as dominant this year, Jenson Button is gearing up to win his first grand prix.

While Michael Schumacher and Ferrari are doing their best to convince sceptics they will not be as dominant this year, Jenson Button is gearing up to win his first grand prix.

In 2004 he and BAR-Honda were Ferrari's strongest challengers, Button taking third place in the drivers' world championship behind Schumacher and his team-mate Rubens Barrichello, and BAR finishing runner-up to the Italian team. But Button is under no illusion that his outstanding performances have generated even greater expectations from racing fans.

"Our prime objective is to prove that 2004 wasn't a fluke," he said. "We have to go out there and consistently challenge McLaren and Ferrari for podiums.

"Our winter testing has been very encouraging and I have done more mileage in this testing period than ever before. The car and engine have been reliable, and that's very important with the new engine regulations whereby one engine must last for two races.

"I know this is also going to be a very important season for me, too. We all hope that the first win is just around the corner, and I really want to be the one to score it. I'm in better shape than ever at this time of season, and I believe we can be very strong."