Button out to enjoy Abu Dhabi weekend

Having clinched his maiden title in Brazil a fortnight ago, Button said ahead of the season finale that he wants to make the most of the opportunity handed to him of not having to worry about the end result for the first time all year.

"This weekend I am going to enjoy myself," said Button, appearing relaxed as he sat talking in the Brawn GP offices in the Abu Dhabi paddock.

"It has been a while since I have jumped into an F1 car and not felt stressed, or a little bit under pressure. It is the first time I can relax and go and do my thing. This will be my first time when I drive out in a Formula 1 car and I will have world champion written on my helmet....It is going to be a very special feeling.

"I am just going to enjoy this weekend. And after this weekend, I can relax and get away from F1 for a few weeks - which I think is what you need to do, [and] which will help you come back stronger when you do finally step back into the frame."

He added: "It has been a long time since I've driven an F1 car and not thought about the season, because leading the world championship every race is very exciting but there are pressures involved with that.

"The last time I wasn't thinking of the world title would have been the last race in 2008. So this will be the first race this season I can go out there and just enjoy the weekend - which is going to be a nice feeling for sure."

After making a brief trip to Britain following his Brazil success, for a PR appearance for Virgin and then a trip to the Brawn factory, Button has spent the last few days relaxing in Dubai with some friends.

And although still excited about his triumph this year, Button admits that thoughts are already switching to the future.

"It has been a special few days, and we've enjoyed ourselves," he said. "It has also been very relaxing, and that is the sort of time when you lie in bed, you think about the season, you think about the previous years, and all those faces of who have helped you along the way flash through your mind.

"So it has been a special few days - but a strange feeling because you have achieved what you set out to do in your career. For so many years you have been fighting for it, and you've achieved it.

"And where do you go from here? Well, there is a lot to achieve after here. There are new goals, and new challenges. I am not going to think about them too much now, but there are a lot of challenges out there I am excited about."

When asked about his reaction to press reports linking him with McLaren, Button said that he would not worry about his future until the next few weeks - even though he has been approached by rival teams.

"I've started discussions with Brawn, but we are not going to talk seriously until after this weekend," he said. "We can sit down and discuss it then, when we can focus on discussing the future."