Button thinks Schumacher heading for fifth title

Williams may be up there with McLaren, or even ahead of them, fighting with Ferrari this season but Jenson Button believes Michael Schumacher will triumph to take his fifth Driver's Championship this year. The Renault driver is convinced Schumacher has what it takes, despite the Williams' 1-2 finish in Malaysia.

"I think Schumacher is going to win it again this year," said Button. "The way the Ferrari is at the moment, the chances are that things are going to go his way. Ferrari know so much about that car. It's quick and it is in another class to most of the field and the team know its capabilities so well."

The Englishman does think, however, that Ferrari could be at a disadvantage with their Bridgestone tyres and Schumacher needs to build up the points in the next few races to stay ahead.

"As far as the tyres are concerned things are going to go Michelin's way," Button commented. "We've definitely got the right choice of tyres. Michael really does need to put the points in early to stay in front. The Michelins work very well with the higher temperatures. Melbourne was a cold race, an unusually cold for Melbourne and that affected us. But they worked better in Malaysia and will get better and better as the season goes on - just like Renault."

Button was heading for his first podium in Malaysia last weekend when his Renault developed suspension problems and was passed by Schumacher in the final laps.