Button - We'll reign in Spain

F1 championship leader determined to end slump

Last updated: 2nd August 2009

Button: Determined

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Jenson Button admits he can afford nothing less than victory in Valencia as he looks to build up his lead at the top of the standings.

The Brawn driver won six of the first seven races this season to establish a 26-point lead in the drivers' championship, but that has been cut down to 18.5 after he finished sixth, fifth and seventh in Britain, Germany and Hungary respectively.

And with Red Bull drivers Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel steadily closing the gap, the Briton feels he has to come out on top in Spain on August 23.

"We have the money and resources to achieve great things but everyone is moving so quickly we need to keep up," he said.

"We've been through more difficult times so we can solve these problems for sure.

"We have just got to stay relaxed and make sure we get back to the front, which we will in Valencia.

"We need to beat the Red Bulls. We can't sit around and collect points. It is not enough."

Temperatures

Brawn had suffered in the cooler temperatures in Britain and Germany and, despite expecting things to heat up in Hungary, it turned out to be another disappointing day.

But while Button feels the lack of heat has cost the team, he knows it is up to them to find a solution.

"We can put it all down to the cooler climates," he said.

"Even in Hungary, the circuit was a lot cooler on Sunday than it was earlier in the week.

"But it is down to us to make the car work in those cold conditions. That is what we need to work out and solve.

"If we don't solve those issues, we are going to be gobbled up by the Red Bulls because they seem to be working in hot and cold weather."

He added: "When you have the opportunity you have to take it.

"This opportunity is the best I have had in Formula One by far and you have to take it. There might not be an opportunity again."