Button eyes strong qualifying in 2011

The outgoing world champion rounded off his first season at McLaren with third place in Abu Dhabi today, having ended a run of disappointing qualifying results by taking fourth on the grid.

With Lewis Hamilton also on the podium in second, the result confirmed McLaren's second place in the constructors' championship.

"That was the main aim really for us, and also to be on the podium was nice at the end of the season," said Button.

"I've had some difficult Saturdays which have hurt me in the races, but my race performances have been very good, so I'm happy with that, but the feeling of the car on Saturdays is something that I'm going to work on over the winter.

"It's a great way to end the year and I'm happy with my first year at McLaren."

The race marked the last time that Button would carry the #1 on his car for now, but he said Sebastian Vettel was a very worthy successor as world champion.

"Sebastian's had some great races this year," said Button. "We've all had up and down races this year, but for the last few races Sebastian has done a great job, and he deserves to be world champion of course."

Button revealed that Vettel had already asked him for advice on how to handle the experience of clinching the title.

"He was asking me how it should feel right now, and I told him he shouldn't be thinking about that," said Button.

"He should get these photoshoots and interviews out of the way, then get back and enjoy it with the people that matter most.

"When he wakes up in the morning and someone calls him and says 'hey world champion, how are you feeling?', that's when it kicks in."