Button keeping a lid on expectations

Button and Honda had gone into 2006 predicting that they would be challenging for wins at every event.

Although that did not happen, the team did recover from a poor start to the campaign to post their maiden victory in Hungary, while Button was the highest points scorer in the final segment of the championship.

The lessons of last year, when the failure to deliver early in the season left the team facing a barrage of questions from the media, have been learned - and Button is keen not to hype things up too much this time around.

"Hopefully I am not going to say too much like we did last season in the winter," said Button, after collecting his British Competition Driver Trophy at the Autosport Awards. "It didn't quite work out as we expected to. But everyone is working awesomely hard.

"The win gave the team a boost - I saw their faces after Hungary. They are hungry for more and they will achieve much more in the future. I hope it is with me. We are looking forward to being on the top step of the podium again."

Button has yet to confirm when he will return to the cockpit, having injured his ribs in a recent karting accident. Some sources have suggested that he may even sit out testing until the start of next year, just to make sure that he is completely healed and ready for Honda's 2007 challenger.

With Button out, Honda have called upon new test driver Christian Klien to provide input - with Anthony Davidson having moved on to Super Aguri.

Button has paid tribute to Davidson - and thinks the new Super Aguri driver will do well next season.

"I think it is going to be fantastic," he explained. "Anthony has been amazing at Honda. He has done an amazing job - so thank you very much. We are sad to see him go, but he deserves the drive very much. We will see him achieve great things next season.

"And we've got Lewis (Hamilton) in F1 next season too. I wish him all the luck in the world. It is good to have four British drivers in F1 next year. It will great to have some competition."