Button hopes Honda can keep momentum

The Briton, who took his maiden Formula One win at Hungary last summer, said there was a sense of optimism among the team following their form by the end of 2006, which he hoped could be maintained into the season.

"For me, the most important thing going into this season, is the atmosphere within the team," Button said at Barcelona today, at the team RA107 launch.

"The confidence within the team is something that's really been building since the middle of last season.

"And I think if we'd be able to build on what we had towards the end of last year, I'll be a very happy man this year.

"So we have to wait and see. Hopefully we'll be able to build on what we had at the end of last season."

Button, who has not driven for three months after cracking a rib in a karting accident, had his first run at the Catalunya circuit yesterday, driving the 2006 car.

And despite concerns that he would find the new Bridgestone tyres difficult to drive with, the Briton said he actually came to grips with the rubber quite quickly.

"[Driving again] is something I've been waiting for, for a very long time, and it's something I was little apprehensive about because I heard lots of stories about the difference with the tyres," Button said.

"Personally, I think after a few runs you can sort of adapt to the tyres. I think a lot of teams have found you need to set up the car around the tyres.

"Yesterday for me was a very positive first day back in the car. I got to grips with the tyres quite easily, I felt, and it was also nice to see that on the other side of the garage with the new car everything went reasonably smoothly."