Button Not Planning to Back Off at Start

Briton Jenson Button revealed at Sepang on Saturday that he will not back off during the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix despite general concerns over a repeat of the spectacular crash in Australia two weekends ago.

Compared to Australia, the first corner of the Sepang track is tighter and the cars will be up to a higher speed as they enter it. But Button, who will start from eighth on the grid in his Renault, knows he must make no compromises if he is to have a chance of scoring precious Championship points.

"I'll be going for it 100 percent," he said. "I think you have always got to push 100 percent, there is no point hanging back because that's when accidents do happen. Maybe we will get a place or two at the start. I think that's the only place we are going to overtake here - it's quite difficult."

However, Button, who caused controversy at the start of the Italian Grand Prix last year when he refused to take a cautious approach, is wary that he must not be too over zealous this time.

"I hope I get round it because that is going to be one of the hardest things to do tomorrow," he said. "I just want to perform and get on the scoreboard, but there are going to be loads of chances this year."

It was Button's best qualifying result ever in Malaysia, and the smile on his face was evident as he admitted he could have done even better.

"I think we should have been seventh on the grid," he said. "But it is just the way it worked out and eighth is good for us. I think it was 16th last year, so we're half way there. Maybe next year."