Benetton B201 Launch: Button expects slow start

Benetton new recruit Jenson Button says the team's new Renault-powered B201 is unlikely to be a podium-contender in the first half of the season, but has echoed Renault Sport's belief that its end-of-season form will be a springboard to a 2001 title attack

Benetton has switched to Formula 1 newcomer Michelin's rubber for 2001 and will also be running a radical, wide-angle Renault V10 as a precursor to 2002, when Benetton exits the picture entirely and the team is re-named as Renault.

As such, the coming season is regarded as a 'low-key' learning effort for the Regie and Button, who is on laon from Williams until the end of the 2002 season, is prepared to endure the early races, rather than enjoy them.

Speaking at the launch of the new car in Venice, the 21-year-old said: "In the first few races, you're not going to see us on the podium. I think the results will start coming in the middle of the season and we're looking for a strong finish.

"We're a bit behind schedule," he added, "but we're looking at the long-term future. It was always going to take a bit more time than the first race and we always knew it was going to be tough with new tyres, a new engine and new people in the team."

But despite the steep learning curve the team will be on, Button hasn't ruled out a surprise showing for the Enstone-based team.

"The very best we can hope for is third in the constructors' points," he said, "but fourth would be good, because that means we keep this year's race numbers [7 and 8] in 2002. But in the context of the year ahead, if we're only fifth or sixth, I can't see that as a problem."

Button believes that one factor in his favour when it comes to causing an upset is the experience he brings with him after a meteoric first year in F1. In his debut season for Williams, Button finished eighth overall in the drivers' points - the highest-placed rookie - with a best finish of fourth in the German Grand Prix.

"I'm more experienced now than last year," he said. "I'm more experienced at working with the mechanics and the team, I know the circuits and I shall be pushing a lot more."

Giancarlo Fisichella has carried out the initial testing of the B201, but Button will get his first taste of the car in Estoril later this week.