Arriving in South Africa for a promotional engagement during F1's summer break, Hockenheim hero Jenson Button, has admitted that his sights are fully set on finishing runner-up to Michael Schumacher in the 2004 World Championship.

At present, Button is 49 points behind the German, but only thirteen behind his Ferrari teammate, Rubens Barrichello, who failed to score in Germany.

"Two races ago, I didn't imagine I could challenge Rubens in the Ferrari," the Englishman told reporters, "but there's a good possibility now. The car is running very strong.

"We've got a really good chance of getting that second spot," added the youngster, who lies third in the standings on 61 points, 13 behind Barrichello.

"The car itself, the reliability and Michael seems to be doing a very good job," he continued, referring to the Ferrari F2004, "but as a team we are there, we are getting closer and closer.

"He hasn't just walked away with every race. There have been some challenges and I think the racing behind Michael has been fantastic."

The German GP was the first time this season that Barrichello has failed to score points this season, while Button has scored points in every race except the United States GP, when he retired with a gearbox problem.