Button happy to extend points lead

The 29-year-old started 11th on the grid, but despite being caught behind McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen in the first stint, recovered to finish ahead of the Brazilian.

"It was a good day for us," Button told BBC Sport. "I'm happy to get fifth, which is four points and pull one of Rubens and only lose one to Sebastian Vettel. It was a good race. I go to Japan very positive for the next race."

Button that he was frustrated that his qualifying performance had made life more difficult for him in the race.

"I wish I did those laps in qualifying," he said of his late race charge that allowed him to get ahead of Barrichello. "That's the frustrating thing.

"It would have made life easier for me in the race. I got stuck behind Heikki Kovalainen for quite a few laps, but when he pitted I was able to get past him.

"I could see Rubens pulling away because he was stopping four or five laps shorter than me but I couldn't do anything. It's difficult because when you're that close behind someone you lose downforce.

"The first safety car was frustrating because I was going three or four laps longer than Heikki. When he pitted I should have had three full laps and would have done Rubens and maybe Mark Webber, so it didn't work for me.

"But I'm very happy with the result."

Team principal Ross Brawn was also delighted with the result after the team salvaged seven points despite a disappointing qualifying.

"It was a recovery for us," he said. "It looked pretty grim yesterday afternoon but the team did a great job to salvage what we did yesterday. Our main competitors did not do that."

Brawn stopped short of claiming victory in the championship despite Vettel now being the only non-Brawn GP driver who can win the title, a massive 25 points down with 30 to play for.

The team is also on the cusp of winning the Constructors' Championship, needing only 12 points in the final three races to clinch it.

"I've been to many world titles where I have lost them at the last race, so until it is done it is not done," said Brawn.