Button already thinking of Monaco GP

The current form of Honda Racing's RA106 has left Button doubtful that he will have a car capable of fighting with Renault and Ferrari for victory in Barcelona this weekend - but he is bullish about the team's prospects for Monaco.

"This is a good circuit for us, we do a lot of testing here and we know how the car is going to feel, but it is also a circuit where you need very good aerodynamics and a lot of downforce," he said at the Circuit de Catalunya on Thursday.

"The Renault has that, McLaren has that and Ferrari has that - so I don't think we are going to be any more competitive than we have been for the past few races. Hopefully we will be reliable enough - that is the thing we have to work on for this race.

"But Monaco for me is the one race where I am really looking forward to - more than this place. I think you can make up the small differences in the cars."

Although Button has not raced at Monaco for two of the last three races - he was forced out after a serious practice crash in 2003 and was banned for 2005 after the BAR fuel-tank saga - he reckons that his runner-up performance in 2004 should act as encouragement.

"2004 is the year we really want to remember for Monaco," he said. "The only time I have raced there in the last three years was a good weekend. I love the circuit; I have gone there well the last few years so I am looking forward to it.

"I think it is a circuit where the car will work well. It is not a high aerodynamic circuit, mechanically I think we are very strong and I am looking forward to it - but there is still one race to do before that. And, if we can get some good points with both cars, that would be great."