Button aiming for race wins

Jenson Button is convinced that BAR is going to be challenging for race wins this season and giving the front runners something to think about. Button, who finished ninth overall in the drivers' standings in 2003, has been testing the BAR 'Concept ...

Jenson Button is convinced that BAR is going to be challenging for race wins this season and giving the front runners something to think about. Button, who finished ninth overall in the drivers' standings in 2003, has been testing the BAR 'Concept Car' over the winter, along with teammate Takuma Sato, and the BAR Honda 006 is due to be launched on February 1st.

Jenson Button.

Photo by LAT Photographic.

"I think things could be very close this season between Ferrari, Williams and McLaren," said Button at the UK's Autosport International, where he was opening the show. "It's going to be a very close season -- and BAR is going to be pushing them as well."

"You might not believe me, but we are going to be. You never know until the first race, but we're very positive that we're going to be challenging for race wins. Winning races is my main aim."

BAR boss David Richards often says he believes Button will be world champion one day and while the title is obviously Jenson's goal, he's setting slightly more conservative targets for the immediate future.

"For me, winning the world championship is the main thing," he commented. "It's not going to happen this year -- well, it's very unlikely. But we can get close to that."

"For me, second or fifth or seventh in the championship doesn't make much difference. It's the team that I'm thinking about more than anything else. Third in the championship would be mega, and I do think it's possible."

Button has been linked with a return to Williams since McLaren announced the signing of Juan Pablo Montoya for 2005. Richards is intent on keeping hold of Button and while Jenson concedes that his contract with BAR runs to 2006, this season will be something of a decider for his future.

"This year is going to be very important for me -- my results will choose the path of my career," he admitted. "But I have got a contract with BAR for 2005 and 2006 and that is where I am at the moment."