Button: I've not changed a thing

Button endured an awful 2001 season, suffering in comparison to ex-team mate Giancarlo Fisichella, and struggling at a time when much of the Benetton-Renault chassis/engine hardware was still in the developmental stage.

Button was gravely disappointed to miss out on his first podium finish in Malaysia but was nonetheless buoyed by a fourth place finish. "I think it shows that we are moving forward and we keep improving race by race, which is a big bonus from the team," he said.

"I'm the same man as I was last year and It's the same people working for the team but we've got a bit more experience with the car and engine. In 2001 Mike Gascoynre didn't have a lot of input into the first few races as he arrived very late, and I think it's helped him having time to work with the car over the winter. But I wouldn't say there were huge differences from last year.

"Personally, I worked harder than ever over the winter with the car and the team. I trained harder than ever and that's helped, but most of all it's just getting to grips working with the team. There were a lot of bad times last year and coming through it has helped me. But I don't think I'm a different person at all."