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Final four circuits will suit McLaren - Button

September 28, 2010 « Heidfeld confident he will stay in F1 next year | »

Jenson Button reckons McLaren will be more competitive at the final four races than it was in Singapore and is confident he has his weakest circuit of the title run-in behind him.

Button was off the pace of the front runners all weekend in Singapore and struggled with overtsteer. However, he still managed to finish fourth and is just 25 points - the equivalent of a race win - off championship leader Mark Webber.

''Singapore was always going to be a tough race,'' Button told the Press Association. ''The pace wasn't in the car and I wasn't 100% with it, but it was alright and to get 12 points was pretty good.

"I know we'll be going to Suzuka with a much better package, and to a circuit that will suit our car more. There are also a few things we used on Friday in Singapore we were unable able to use on Saturday and Sunday because of reliability issues, so that will hopefully be with us in Suzuka.

"So hopefully Singapore will prove to be the worst of the five races we knew we had heading into it, and if it is, it's not too bad. That's the positive outcome I take with me going to Japan, where we have to put the car on the front row - that has to be the aim.''

Button considers the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix as a second home race due to the amount of time he spends in the Far East with his Japanese girlfriend Jessica Michibata. Button and Michibata have a packed schedule ahead of the race and the reigning world champion said he is looking forward to arriving at the circuit.

"I'm going to England for a day to spend some time in the simulator at the factory," Button added. "The missus has also been invited to Paris for a fashion week, so I'm going to go there for a day, and then I'll arrive in Japan on Friday.

"I see it as my second home grand prix. It's a very special race, and one I'm very much looking forward to because I love Suzuka. If we have a good car around there then it's a lovely place to be competitive. I'm hoping we'll have some good support from the Japanese fans, and with Jessica being Japanese I'm sure there'll be a lot of her supporters there as well."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.