Button happy at BAR despite JV

Despite a controversial start to the year in Melbourne when Villeneuve pitted on the same lap as Jenson, messing up his race, Button is hopeful of a strong year ahead.

"I'm feeling the most comfortable I've ever been in F1 and the team is great - the one I've been most comfortable with since I arrived in F1," he said. "When I came to BAR we got down to work very quickly, whereas some teams were unsure about me, being young. BAR has also listened to me from the word go, which is important."

But the evidently lukewarm relationship between the two drivers continued in Malaysia when Villeneuve claimed that he had shaken hands with Button in Australia after the incident, only for Jenson to deny it.

"Lots happened in Australia for whatever reason," said Button. "That is all finished now and we have to get on."

Button confirmed that he himself could not have pitted a lap later in Melbourne because he would have run out of fuel.

"A lot of work has gone into making sure that the radios work properly in Malaysia," he said with a wry smile.