24/08/2009
NEWS STORY
Jenson Button has vowed to be more aggressive in Belgium this weekend after an unconvincing display in Valencia resulted in just two points, while teammate Rubens Barrichello netted his first win with the Brackley squad.
A mistake in qualifying saw the Briton take fifth on the grid for the European Grand Prix, while a poor start saw the Englishman drop to eighth as his main championship rivals headed off into the distance.
While Button is praised for his Prost-like smoothness and consistency, it is widely felt that if he is to defend his ever-decreasing championship lead he needs to be more aggressive. An opinion that the Frome-born driver is gradually waking up to.
"It is better to be consistent and not crash," the 29-year-old admitted, "but if you are consistent and get two points it is not enough. Therefore, I am going to go to Spa and be more aggressive. In every way, not just driving, but with the strategy and with the tyres.
"It is where we have got to be, because otherwise it is going to be slowly eaten away," he added, referring to his championship lead, which is now down to 18 points."
Looking back at the weekend, he said: "This was the first time when we have had a strong car that I have not been able to get the most out of it. That is the most frustrating thing. We have to turn that around.
"The Red Bulls are still going to be fighting, and they are going to be quick for sure over the next few races, especially the next one at Spa, although I don't think the McLarens will be as quick as they were here."
After three highly disappointing races, Brawn was back on form for much of the weekend in Valencia.
"I think we have sorted out a few of our issues, and we have some updates, so Rubens and myself will be very quick at Spa," said Button. "The team has proven that we are quick when it is hot, and Spa will be the tell tale of whether we are quick when it is cold. There are a few coolish races still to come.
"This Friday is a very important day for us to see if we have made improvements in the cool conditions," he admitted.
While it is currently forecast that there won't be any rain over the Spa weekend, it is thought that temperatures will only reach 19 degrees on race day.