• Spanish Grand Prix

Pressure is off, says Button

Jenson Button was inducted into the Circuit Catalunya's Avenue of Champions on Friday © Sutton Images

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Jenson Button says he is enjoying driving in a pressure free situation this year as he has nothing left to prove to his critics.

Button endured a number of torrid years after his impressive debut season for Williams in 2000 but after winning the drivers' title in fine style in 2009 he said the burden of expectation had been lifted from his shoulders. Even the intense challenge of pitting his wits against 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton is something Button is taking in his stride.

"I've won the world championship, I've achieved my goal that I set out to achieve," Button told Reuters after Friday's Free Practice in Barcelona. "If my career ended now, I would end my career as a very happy person. I've got some great stories to tell and I can look at my trophy on the mantelpiece and say 'I've won the world championship in F1 - how many people did that?"

Button again sits on top of the drivers' standings and, after joining Circuit Catalunya's Avenue of Champions on Friday, he admitted that the fire still burns to win the title a second time.

"I'm here and I want to achieve more this season - I want to win the championship. I've achieved what I set out to do, so I have no pressure. I'm not putting pressure on myself, and I'm so much more relaxed as a person and as a driver.

"It means I've more time to think, and more time to try and make myself a better person and a better driver, so I couldn't possibly be in a better position at the moment. I know how I feel inside, and I'm the best person to judge myself. I'm very critical of the way I am, the way I drive, how I act within the team and also as a person."

Button finished the opening practice session in Barcelona second to team-mate Hamilton before slipping to ninth in the afternoon session.

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