Button not expecting big step forward

The British driver arrived at the French Grand Prix without any points, but with slightly better hopes thanks to his Honda Racing team introducing a heavily revised car for the Magny-Cours race.

The car, however, failed to improve Button's fortunes by much in Saturday's qualifying, the Briton finishing down in 12th position with teammate Rubens Barrichello one place behind.

France was the turning point for Button's season last year, with Honda taking a big step forward after the Magny-Cours event as the Briton went on to score more points than any other driver in the next races, including his maiden victory in Hungary.

This season, however, Button reckons Honda are unlikely to be able to repeat last year's turnaround in form.

"I qualified 17th here last year and this time I am P12, so we're better," Button said. "But after Silverstone last season we made a big improvement, and we've just got to hope that happens again.

"We're a long way off the front teams at the moment, and to do what we did last year is going to be very difficult.

"I don't expect that this year. I expect to be quicker and scoring points regularly towards the end of the season, but I don't expect to be on the podium, scoring more points than anyone in the last six races.

"I am a realist, and we have to work bloody hard. I think this is a good step forward, and it's something we can build on. We've changed the car quite a bit from Indy, and I think we've just got to build on it. We've got fantastic people working with the team, and we always have had.

"But I think they know their direction now, they're starting to be positioned correctly within the team, and they're working together well."