Button Backs Wilson for Success at Jaguar

Jenson Button has backed Justin Wilson to be a success at Jaguar, but believes that it will be some time before the rookie shows what he is fully capable of.

Wilson, in his debut season in Formula One, secured a mid-season switch from minnows Minardi to Jaguar after the British Grand Prix as reward for his impressive performances for Paul Stoddart's back-of-the-grid team.

Although Button has backed his fellow Briton to be successful at Jaguar, the BAR-Honda driver believes Wilson will not be able to match the performances of new teammate Mark Webber this year.

"He is going to help the team for the rest of the season," Button said of Wilson, who pipped Webber to the Formula 3000 title in 2001. "He will be quick, there is no reason why he won't be. Many drivers have been champions in lower formulae.

"He has got to be quick but I don't think he will be quite on Mark's pace to start with. Mark is a very quick driver and he works very well with the team so we are going to see how Justin compares."

Wilson, who turned 25 today, may not have won any Championship points for his displays for Minardi but earned praise from those within the sport who have recognised his potential.

Button admits that, with Wilson making his Jaguar debut at this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, the added media attention is something the driver will have to learn how to cope with.

"The most important thing is driving fast and lots of media interest is something extra to take your mind off the job." said Button. "It is not distracting for me because I am used to it, but when you first come into F1 and you are not used to it, it is."