Button Rules Out First Podium Finish

Briton Jenson Button said his dreams of a podium finish this season are fading away because of the strength of the top teams - including his old Renault squad.

The 23-year old, who joined BAR-Honda this year, has notched up eight points in the eight races so far this year and has only finished in the top eight on three occasions. Despite a fourth place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix three races ago, he admits that his first ever podium will remain a dream for this season if the team do not improve.

"I was one step away there (Austria) but 45 seconds away as well," said Button, who made his Formula One debut three years ago and is still to spray the post-race champagne. "It's not possible at the moment.

"The teams in front seem to be quite a long way in front and looking at our showings in Austria and Monaco I think we've still got a bit to find in order to be competitive."

Button finished seventh in the Drivers' Championship with Renault last year before his switch to BAR and he knows it is crucial that the team begin to score points soon to stay ahead of the chasing pack. Formula One returns to Europe this week after the Canadian Grand Prix when it moves to the Nurburgring and Button is hoping his team will be more suited to that track so he can chase some more points.

"The car is going to be much better in the Nurburgring than it was in Canada," he said. "We just have to hope it's where it was in Monaco because we were very competitive there."