Button goes for Schuey-style aggression

Schumacher has often been on the receiving end of criticism for his sometimes rough tactics, while moving across the bows of rivals at the start of Grands Prix has become a 'trademark' of the triple world champ. Button refuses to criticise the German, however, and says such moves are acceptable when a world championship is at stake.

"Some of Michael's tactics have been widely criticised," Button told the British press in Melbourne, "but as long as they are within the rules I don't see anything wrong with being aggressive on the track.

"Formula 1 is not a sport where you win world titles by adopting 'After you, Claude' tactics. It's a fiercely competitive one where only the toughest survive. To be a winner you have to be able to mix it at 200mph and grab any chance - provided it is within the rules - to take the chequered flag."

Button, who switches to the Benetton team for 2001 on a two-year loan from Williams, is determined to assume Schumacher's mantle at the top of the F1 pile. The young Brit is quick to defend even the infamous move the German made on Jacques Villeneuve at Jerez in 1997, for which he was thrown out of the championship.

"I can't say what I would have done, had I been in Michael's position," said Button. "But the only thing that was wrong with what he did was that it didn't work. There is so much at stake these days that you have to be more aggressive to make your mark. I am not here to finish second - I want to be Michael Schumacher."

The 21-year-old had an impressive debut season last year and finished eighth in the championship while out-qualifying team mate Ralf Schumacher six times during the year. However, after a cautious first year, Button is dropping the softly-softly approach for 2001 and plans to turn on the aggression.

"I was cautious last year because I needed to put miles under my belt," he said, "but I will be more aggressive this time around - definitely. Maybe I won't finish as many races as a result, but I am going to push hard. I would hardly have endeared myself to Williams had I constantly ended up in the gravel. But this time I feel more confident and if there's a gap, I'll go for it."