Jenson Button today pinpointed Ferrari and Red Bull as the teams Brawn GP feared most going into the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend.
Jenson Button today pinpointed Ferrari and Red Bull as the teams Brawn GP feared most going into the Malaysian Grand Prix this weekend.
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The British driver, who unexpectedly won in Melbourne last week with teammate Rubens Barrichello second, said no one knew whether Brawn would be as dominant.
But he warned that their Australian race was far from perfect and left room for improvement.
"We don't really know how much of an advantage we had in Melbourne because of the safety car. It wasn't a perfect weekend, and if we can get a perfect weekend here we will be looking strong," Button said.
The Malaysian race is very different to Melbourne, with long straights perfect for overtaking but which also require heavy braking, as well as extreme weather conditions that could take their toll.
"It is a very different circuit and I expect other cars will have an advantage," said Button. "The cars that have Kers will probably have an advantage, especially Ferrari."
Only four teams are fitted with the Kinetic Energy Recovery Systems - Ferrari, McLaren, BMW Sauber and Renault - which recovers some of the energy generated by the car's braking process for extra power.
While the Briton pointed to Ferrari, he also thinks Red Bull and even BMW Sauber will emerge as a threat to Brawn.
"In the first race Red Bull were very quick, quicker than what we expected, and I think Ferrari will catch up - they always do. They are the two teams I expect to be competitive this year, as well as BMW Sauber."
"It's a very strange mix this year," he said.
The win in Melbourne was only Button's second in 154 starts, but he said he had come down from the emotional high and was fully focused on the job ahead at Sepang.
"It was a great feeling after the weekend in Australia, it was a very special weekend not just for myself but the whole team. But we are quickly looking forward to the next chapter at this race weekend," he said.
One factor likely to work against Brawn is the weather. A ferocious thunderstorm battered the Sepang circuit as Button was speaking and more is forecast for the weekend.
The Briton has rarely done well in the wet and the Brawn car has not done any testing in the rain, something that could derail their hopes.
"The weather will be trickier than in Melbourne and difficult to know what will happen," he said.
"Over the last two years I have hoped for rain because it makes it more exciting. But with a quick car you want it to be dry, not even a breath of wind.
"It makes it more difficult and challenging but will will take it in our stride.
"We haven't tested in the wet yet, but it's a good a car. We expect it to be competitive here but no one knows just how competitive. It is a fast-flowing circuit and should suit our car."
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