Jenson Button is going to have to start avoiding TV cameras, or at the very least take a crash-course (no pun intended) on acting.

Interviewed just moments after his 'retirement' from the Australian GP, the Englishman was clearly embarrassed when asked the cause of the problem. He looked awkward as he was asked why he had retired on the last lap, unaware that team boss Nick Fry was about to go public and spill the beans.

Then, yesterday, having retired just three laps into the Malaysian Grand Prix, when a microphone was thrust in his face he left viewers - and his team - under no illusions. "Engineering an engine to do three laps is not hard," he said.

I am angry, very angry," he added. "Compared to last year we have made a huge step back in every area and I don't think it will get better any time soon."

It was a weekend of misery for the Brackley outfit, which only twelve months ago - at this very track - gave a clear demonstration of what was to follow, when Jenson Button stepped up onto the podium for the first time in his F1 career.

It was perhaps a sign of what was to come this year when Takuma Sato pulled out of proceedings on Saturday, the team revealing that the Japanese driver had been taken ill. Last night it was unclear, other than Takuma, which member of the Brackley outfit was feeling 'sickest'.

There has been a question mark over the reliability of the Honda power-plants throughout the pre-season build up, and Sepang merely confirmed what many had feared.

Yesterday's double-whammy, comes just months after Honda bought a large slice of the Brackley team, and on the very day that its biggest (car manufacturing) rival enjoyed its finest success to date.

In the days, weeks and months ahead, Honda and BAR face a serious battle, while Button - if he is to maintain a good working relationship with the team - is going to need to find either a good acting coach, or develop a decent 'poker face'.