Button Aims to be the 'Best in the World'

Briton Jenson Button has admitted he races in Formula One in order to become the best driver in the world, and added he would quit the sport if he knew he couldn't succeed.

21-year old Button, who has moved from Williams to Benetton this year, will begin his second season in Formula One next week at the Australian Grand Prix.

"I want to be world champion and if I thought I would be finishing 12th or 13th for the rest of my career I'd stop now," Button said.

"It wouldn't be worth it and I just wouldn't bother. I want to be the best in the world and I want to be known as the best in the world."

Button will race for the Renault-powered Benetton team, who have been suffering several problems during the pre-season testing, especially with the new radical 111-degree V10 power plant.

Mike Gascoyne, the team's technical director, admitted they are struggling to solve some of the problems of the new engine, and the prospects of finding a quick solution are unlikely.

"There are two or three main problems with the engine which will take a long time to fix," Gascoyne admitted. "It's important we don't take a short-term view of it by putting all our resources into this car.

"My aim for 2001 is to put the programmes in place that will help win the championship for the team."