Button: Honda will fight at front in 2009

The Briton is optimistic that team principal Ross Brawn's influence will help get the Japanese manufacturer back near the top of the order despite their recent frustrating times.

"For sure, it is going to be so different with the regulations, tyres and KERS, but there is a big possibility for us to be at the front," Button told autosport.com in Singapore.

"You would not believe it, because we are so far off the front at the moment, but there is a very good chance we will be fighting with the big guys. Hopefully that will be the case."

Button's original contract with Honda runs out at the end of this year. Sources close to the team have revealed that agreement has now been reached for Button to remain on board in 2009, even though there was little doubt about the Briton staying put.

It is thought that an announcement confirming Button's new deal could be made as soon as the build-up to Honda's home grand prix in Japan in a fortnight's time.

Honda Racing were the first team to shift all their efforts onto their 2009 machine, even though such a move meant that most of the development work on their current machine was frozen.

Button admits that some of his thoughts are on next year too, but says that does not mean he has totally given up on 2008.

"My thoughts are still on next year, but when you jump into a Grand Prix you have to give it everything, otherwise it is unsafe initially," he said. "There is no point thinking otherwise. My focus is not on next year. It is on every race I go for.

"I think the team's focus should be on next year. If I score a point it will be a surprise in a way. And we should be focusing on next year, although a lot of the stuff that we are doing with this car is to do with next year. When you are out there you have to be 100 percent focused on what you are doing."

Button's new contract will mean that Rubens Barrichello's F1 future now depends on whether or not the team are successful in luring Fernando Alonso from Renault.