Jenson Button has said that Brawn GP must improve their performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.
Championship leader wants better showing in Hungary
Jenson Button has said that Brawn GP must improve their performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix after rivals Red Bull took another step forward in Germany on Sunday.
Mark Webber led home team-mate Sebastian Vettel at the Nurburgring, the Australian scoring his first ever grand prix win as Red Bull took their third one-two finish of the season.
In contrast Brawn GP, who dominated the early stages of the season, have taken a step back in both Britain and Germany as their car struggled with grip in lower temperatures.
"We've got to kick some a*** in Hungary and that's what we are going to try and do," Button said after finishing fifth in the German Grand Prix.
Having won six of the first seven races, Button still leads Vettel by 21 points in the drivers' championship, with Webber now a further 1.5 points adrift.
However, Red Bull have taken 24 points off Brawn GP in the last three races - a trend team principal Ross Brawn is desperate to reverse.
"The problem we have is to get quicker," Brawn said. "We are not quick enough and we have to respond. Because if we don't, we will throw the championship away."
Hot conditions
They may be helped by the fact that next weekend's race, held at the Hungaroring just outside Budapest, tends to take place in hot conditions which have, so far, favoured their car.
Button, who scored his first F1 victory there three years ago, summed it up by saying: "Let's pray that we are quick there because if we are not we've got a problem.
"We could shout at the team about improving things but they know what they've got to do. We've got to stay calm, put the improvements on the car and get every bit we can out of it.
"We've got some new parts for Hungary. I'm looking forward to that. I think our car will be strong there. We don't know how strong. We'll have to wait and see."
Button also congratulated Webber, a friend and former team-mate from when he was at Benetton and Webber was their test driver, for finally scoring his first win after 130 starts.
"It puts another person in the mix doesn't it? Sebastian, Mark myself and Rubens (Barrichello), they are all closing in on me," he said.
Button might also be helped by the fact that Red Bull's drivers appear more evenly matched than Brawn GPs and are likely to take points off each other.
In contrast, Button has beaten team-mate Barrichello eight times in nine races so far - the Brazilian criticising his team on Sunday after finishing sixth having led the race.
"We've still got a 21 point lead so it's not that bad but if we continue like this we are not going to keep that lead," Button added.
