Button receives encouragement from Head

The 20-year-old Brit is waiting to hear if he will be retained by Williams-BMW next season, or be replaced by reigning Champ Cars champion Juan Pablo Montoya.

Team boss Frank Williams has said a decision has to be made "soon" and last week admitted he had contacted Montoya's team to discuss the Colombian's availability.

But while Button waits to hear, Head has added to the praise heaped on their new young driver.

"Jenson did a brilliant job [in Spain]. He did exactly what he needed to do when he needed to do it, and basically took the two Jordans at the pit-stops. He did it all right.

"He's a great driver, a great racer. He's got to qualify a bit better than he has, but he's well capable of doing that.

"Certainly having Jenson in the team has been very good. He and Ralf get on well together, work well together, and certainly there's a feeling of progress.

"That's difficult to deal with in F1 - if you feel you're not going forward, or if you're either staying steady or going up and down erratically. If you're steadily progressing upwards then yes, it makes everybody give that little bit extra."

While they contemplate driver choice Head has said he is happy with their current line-up and having the luxury of three strong drivers to choose from.

"It's good to be in a stronger position with drivers than the other way round. I think all of us at Williams and BMW know that our challenge is to raise the competence of the car, the competence of the engine, and the capability of the team operationally. I don't think any of us are looking at the drivers and saying, 'If only...', either with Ralf or Jenson."