Button insists race is his only focus

The British driver, leading the standings since the first race of the season, needs to outscore team-mate Rubens Barrichello by five points in order to clinch his first title at Suzuka.

"I'm looking forward to the weekend," Button told a news conference. "It is a circuit I have enjoyed very much in the past, it is a fast flowing circuit and everyone enjoys racing here.

"I don't come into this race thinking I am going to seal the title here, there are so many possibilities this weekend. There are three people who can still challenge for the title, and I am one of them, but the most important thing to do is work on Friday and Saturday to get the car ready for qualifying and the race.

"I shouldn't be thinking about anything else."

He added: "For me the most important thing is to win the world championship, it's not when or where. For sure I would love to win at Suzuka, I have a lot of connections with past and present with Japan..."

Button admitted he was feeling upbeat ahead of the Suzuka race, although he conceded he is hoping for a dry weekend.

"I am in very good shape. I am looking forward to the weekend. Last weekend was an interesting race, and I still have some bruises to show after the bumpiness of the circuit. But it was a good weekend. We came back from a tough Saturday to have a very good Sunday.

"This weekend the weather looks interesting, and I would rather it was dry for sure. As far as I know it should be wet tomorrow and Sat/Sun is more likely dry than wet."