Button - appetite still strong

Button: Hungry for second title

Winning the world championship once is the most amazing feeling, and I want to see what it feels like it to win it twice

Jenson Button.
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Jenson Button has denied claims he is resting on his laurels after becoming Formula One world champion last season.

Button insists there is no-one on the circuit who works harder in attempting to improve and to win, despite being accused of being too passive this year.

The 30-year-old has a far more relaxed style compared to McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who is 35 points clear of his countryman heading into this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

But Button maintains he is as dedicated to winning as the 2008 world champion ahead of Sunday's race in Monza.

"I definitely don't feel I'm any less driven this year," he said defiantly. "I'm still going into every practice session, qualifying and race with the same hope I can win that race.

"And you can never get bored of winning. It's just such an amazing feeling when you cross the line and you've beaten the other 23 cars on the grid.

"It's a very special feeling that will never stop, that will always be there, that I always want to win.

"I know I'm just as passionate about it now as I was last year, and that's because I don't think there is a driver here who works any harder than me.

"I can't imagine putting in any more time and effort than I already do, and being passionate about it makes you care about which direction you take.

"I don't just rock up and hope we've a good car. I'm part of the process, the same as Lewis."

Dedicated

Button's temperament could not contrast more to the likes of seven-times champion Michael Schumacher, two-time title-winner Fernando Alonso, as well as Hamilton.

As far as the former Braun GP driver is concerned, that is his character, and there is nothing to separate them when it comes to knuckling down and getting on with the job.

"If you speak to the people I work with, they'll tell you how dedicated I am and how much time I put in to developing the car, not just for the latter part of this year, but also next year and future years," added Button.

"I don't just sit and wait for the car to be built, jump in and go around. I put a lot of time and effort in to making sure the team listen to what I have to say.

"A driver's opinion is important. It's not everything, but it is important, not just for what we do at a weekend, but the direction we take with next year's car.

"I need to be pushing on with that because in two months' time it will be too late because we're already working on next year's car. You've got to be opinionated, and I am."

Button is naturally determined not to let all that hard work go to waste, so despite the gap to Hamilton, he is refusing to write off his chances of retaining his crown.

"No British driver has ever won it back to back. That's a goal to go for," said Button.

"But also, winning the world championship once is the most amazing feeling, and I want to see what it feels like it to win it twice.

"At the moment there are only two guys on the grid who have won it twice (Schumacher and Alonso), and it would be immense to win it two years running with two different teams."