• Malaysian Grand Prix

Button mindful of Sepang characteristics

Jenson Button thinks it will be difficult to repeat his Melbourne success © Sutton Images

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• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button

• Teams:
• McLaren

Jenson Button is refusing to get carried away with his Australian Grand Prix victory, stating that the characteristics of the Sepang circuit in Malaysia will be less suited to McLaren.

"It was a tremendous achievement to score our first win of the season in Melbourne last week, and it's given every single member of the team even greater enthusiasm for this weekend," said Button in the build-up to the Malaysian Grand Prix. "Even so, I think we travel to Sepang mindful that the characteristics of the circuit probably won't suit our car as well as it will suit some of the others - but I'm confident that, once again, we'll be fighting at or near the front.

"We're only two races in, but I think the development race will already be starting to have an influence on performance. It's the rate of improvement that will most influence the battle at the front. And I'm confident we can deliver in this area: it was something I watched the team doing throughout 2009, and it was one of the key reasons for deciding to hold talks with the team. I'm convinced we have the firepower to develop faster than our key rivals."

Despite his words of caution, Button thinks the characteristics of the Sepang circuit may also suit his driving style better than others.

"Sepang is an awesome circuit, one that I love driving, and I think that I'll be able to further develop and improve my relationship with the car here," said Button. "It's a circuit that not only requires smooth and precise input, but it also needs real commitment through some of the high-speed stuff. I think it's a circuit that every driver loves."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.