Road to title will be tricky

Formula One world champion Jenson Button has set his sights on the successful defence of his title,but remains less certain about his path back to the winners podium after a disappointing season opener.

Formula One world champion Jenson Button has set his sights on the successful defence of his title,but remains less certain about his path back to the winners podium after a disappointing season opener. Despite feeling completely at home with McLaren and fellow world champion Lewis Hamilton,the British driver said his new team would still be playing catch-up at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.

I think the Red Bulls are very strong,I think the Ferraris are very strong,and then its probably us, Button,champion with Brawn GP,now Mercedes,said in a track-side interview at the Albert Park street circuit on Tuesday. But Im hoping with the circuit change and a few little updates well be closer to them and maybe challenging them here.

Button started eighth and finished seventh in a frustrating race in the season opener in Bahrain on March 14,reeling in Red Bulls Mark Webber but ultimately being shut out by Mercedes seven times world champion Michael Schumacher who finished sixth.

Team mate and 2008 champion Hamilton finished third behind a Ferrari one-two after Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel suffered an engine problem to drop from first to fourth. The first race for us was difficult. I dont think the car suited Bahrain too well, said Button. I think it will suit this circuit better. Its a lower downforce circuit so we have to wait and see.

A podium would be fantastic here in Melbourne. I think that has to be the aim. I think its a possibility and youve got to set your sights pretty high.

Despite concerns over McLarens pace in Bahrain Button has taken some comfort in his return to Albert Park,where he won from pole last year on the way to six victories in seven starts that ultimately led to the title.

Its great coming back here,because this is all where it started last season. This is where my first pole of the season was and my first win.

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So it was a very emotional moment last year and hopefully we can have something similar this year.

Its going to be a very competitive season,but the aim has to be to be world champion.

I need to be in a position that I have a car that can be competitive enough to fight for race wins,and then its more or less down to me.

Buttons bid for a podium finish this year in Melbourne will start in daylight and end in twilight,something the Briton handled with aplomb last year despite complaints from drivers and his own personal misgivings about safety.

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It sounds petty,but its not. It can be dangerous if youve got the sun in your eyes and you cant see where youre going. But Id rather be racing in the day,even a twilight race for me,Id rather that than the night-time.

Out in fronts probably not such a bad place to be as the sun sets,so hopefully we can put ourselves in the same place and wont have to worry.