Button sure Honda can make big leap in 2016

Having committed to a new contract with the team after the Japanese Grand Prix, Button and teammate Fernando Alonso have suffered a spate of performance and reliability frustrations in recent races.

But even though the season has not ended in the way he wanted, Button says his belief of big progress from Honda over the winter has not wavered.

"Nothing has changed for us," said the Briton, amid more trouble for the team at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

"We knew it was going to be a difficult season, and the last few races have also been difficult. But nothing has changed for me anyway on my views for next year.

"We would all love in this team to have more reliability, but we are trying to push and make good gains through the year because next year is a year that is more exciting for us.

"This year is more of a testing year for us. At some of the races, we have done okay in unusual circumstances, but most of the time it has been testing and trying to prove out things with the power unit and the car itself - the chassis, and the aerodynamics.

"Every race we are bringing new parts and whether you see it or not in terms of lap time, it is all learning for next year."

Full commitment

Button says the reasons for electing not to retire at the end of the season are still as valid now, in spite of ongoing difficulties.

"I wanted to stay because my view is that we can have a good year next year," he explained.

"I feel the passion within the team, and how everybody is working very well together either at Sakura [Honda's R&D facility] or Woking.

"It is going to be a long winter but a winter we are all looking forward to. It is not going to be an easy time to find the time we need because if we are to fight at the front we have to find 2.5 seconds, which is a massive gap.

"Whether we can do that or not I don't know, but I know we will make big margins this winter so my views have not changed."