Jenson Button has expressed his relief that Brawn GP can finally concentrate on the job in hand at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
Early-season pacesetter relieved by diffuser decision
Jenson Button has expressed his relief that, after the FIA's International Court of Appeal declared his Brawn GP car legal, the team can finally concentrate on the job in hand at this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.
The Englishman has dominated the early stages of the Formula One season, winning in both Australia and Malaysia to steal a march in the race for the Drivers' Championship.
Both results were subject to Wednesday's appeal, brought by Ferrari, Renault, Red Bull and BMW Sauber after race stewards gave the controversial rear diffuser design on the Brawn GP car, together with those of Toyota and Williams, the all-clear.
With both victories - and 15 world championship points - now safely in the bank, Button is chasing the hat-trick in Shanghai on Sunday.
And, with rival teams now looking to change their own cars in order to meet the new precendent, the Englishman said he expected them to catch Brawn GP sooner rather than later.
"It was a nice feeling to be able to put it behind us and now we can concentrate on doing our proper job," he said.
"It was not a shock when I found out, I was not surprised. It was a relief really as we can now get on with the weekend.
"We have got a head start and I think we did a good job with our car over the winter compared to others.
"We have done a good job in many different areas of the car, not just the diffuser, and I think it will take people a bit of time to catch up but it won't be too long for sure.
"I think we will find teams getting more and more competitive and closer to us as the season goes on."
Favourite
Button heads into the weekend favourite at a track where he could only manage a lowly 16th place when the last Chinese Grand Prix was held just six months ago.
Despite having endured two desperately disappointing seasons prior to Honda's withdrawal late last year, Button said his newfound status as F1's pacesetter felt natural.
Nevertheless, the Frome driver said he would not consider this weekend's race a failure were he to finish off the podium.
"It is weird after two pretty poor seasons you can quickly get used to being at the front," Button added. "It becomes quite normal quickly and in a way that is good.
"However, if I go into the race this weekend and don't win it will be a slight disappointment but then again you have to think it is a 17-race championship.
"If you go into a race preparing to be disappointed with second or third then you do not have the right mentality.
"I might be favourite but it does not make anything easier.
"It is a long championship, not a one-off race and I think you need to be clever in the way you work and grab points when you can.
"Scoring in every race is key and it has been every year in Formula One. It hasn't changed."
