Button Aims for Race Wins with BAR in 2004

Briton Jenson Button says his BAR Formula One team could win races and be challenging for third place overall this season.

"I think things could be very close this season between Ferrari, Williams and McLaren," the 23-year-old said at the Autosport International show in Birmingham on Saturday.

"It's going to be a very close season and BAR is going to be pushing them as well. You might not believe me but we are going to be," he said. "We're very positive that we are going to be challenging for race wins. Winning races is my main aim."

Button has yet to finish on the podium in four seasons in Formula One with Williams, Benetton, Renault and BAR while other young rivals such as Spain's Fernando Alonso and Finland's Kimi Raikkonen have won races.

BAR team boss David Richards has said 2004 could be a make-or-break season for the Briton, who will also be taking on a team leader role after the departure of Canadian 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve.

Button has also been talked of as a possible replacement for Juan Pablo Montoya when the Colombian leaves Williams for McLaren in 2005.

"For me, winning the World Championship is the main thing," Button said. "It's not going to happen this year -- well, it's very unlikely. But we can get close to that.

"Third in the championship would be mega and I do think it's possible," he said.

BAR are due to launch their new car, the BAR 006, in Barcelona on February 1.