Button fears backlash after dream triumph

It's been more than 50 years since a team claimed a one-two on their Formula One debut but Jenson Button isn't fooled into thinking Brawn GP are going to have it all their own way this season.

The Briton, who led Rubens Barrichello home on a remarkable day for the team at the Australian Grand Prix, is expecting his rivals to quickly close the gap on the former Honda outfit. And although the next race in Malaysia is only six days away, Button thinks his team could be under pressure there.

"I hope we are quick all season and I hope we have an advantage all season, but I don't think that's going to be the case," he said today.

"Rubens and I are both going to be very competitive, pushing each other very hard if you look at the last few years that we've been team-mates. But I've a feeling other teams are going to be on us very quickly, and when we get to a different type of circuit, maybe in Malaysia, some other cars which weren't so competitive here will be.

"Sebastian Vettel's pace surprised me a little. I didn't think Red Bull were quite as quick as they were in the race when we watched them in practice, but their pace seemed to be good.

"So it wasn't a walkaway victory, and it's not going to be easy for us over the next few races. But we'll be competitive together. We're both in the same position as we have a good car, so there's no reason why we shouldn't be fighting at the front."

Despite Button's fears about other teams, he does think Brawn can improve too.

"It wasn't my best race, but I still won, so I am chuffed to bits," said Button.

"And the exciting thing is, I know there is more room for improvement from myself and from the team."

Certainly, the current car is a huge step up from the Honda Button was saddled with last term.
"That car was a handful," he said. "Every corner we got to, we didn't know what was going to happen. It was a beast, that's what we had to deal with. As a racing driver it's always difficult when you're ready to achieve but the equipment won't let you show your skills.

"But getting into a car as competitive as the one we have now just feels natural, it feels like this is where I should be. I already feel that the car is part of me."

This was only Button's second Grand Prix win in a nine-year career — his other came in Hungary in 2006 — but his Melbourne triumph has a special place in the record books.