Jenson Button hopes to keep winning habit in Australia despite a difficult winter

Jenson Button is hoping he can make another flying start to the season this weekend in spite of the headaches McLaren have experienced during testing.

McLaren are clearly hoping they can maintain a steeper development than their rivals throughout the 19 races. "Most cars are fundamentally the same as last year," Button said. "They've developed it, whereas with us it's very different: the geometry of the car is different; the way the aerodynamics work is different. It's always going to be tougher if you've made bigger changes. "We still don't think it should hinder us at the first race, but it should really help us throughout the season." Button was speaking just a couple of hours after McLaren said that they will part ways with title sponsor Vodafone at the end of 2013. A replacement will be announced at the end of the season, with all speculation pointing towards a deal with Telmex - backers of Button's new team-mate Sergio Perez. Button added: "It's sad to see them go because since I've been with the team Vodafone's been here. And they've been here for many more years than that - they won the World Championship with Lewis. "They're putting their money and resources elsewhere. They're not just pulling out of McLaren; they're not going to be involved in F1, motorsport and other sports as well. It's just the way things happen with different sponsors."