Button on Ferrari short list

Button qualified on pole in his BAR-Honda at Imola and then led throughout his first stint before relinquishing his position to Schumacher in the first round of pitstops. He then went on to finish second over 15s clear of Juan Pablo Montoya's Williams. It was the Englishman's third podium finish in a row and means he is now third in the drivers' championship, one point behind Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello.

"For him [Button] to have taken pole position ahead of Schumacher was fantastic and he is learning how to work with the team," said Brawn. "He is going to become very hot property over the next couple of years.

"One day Michael [Schumacher] is going to stop. Then we will have to look around for a replacement and see who is the best at that stage. Jenson Button will be on that list."

If Jenson Button were to sign for Ferrari, he would be the first Englishman to do so since Nigel Mansell left Williams for Maranello at the end of 1988. But Button has flourished in his role as team-leader at BAR under the guidance of team principal David Richards. And with Honda rumoured to be close to announcing a three-year extension to its engine supply, it may difficult to wrest Button away from his current berth.

"His present form just goes to show that when a driver gets the right engineers, the right environment and the team believe in him, then he raises his game," said Brawn.