Button rules out race wins in 2008

Although Brawn has said he has been impressed with what he has found at Honda Racing since starting last week, Button thinks it could take until 2009 for the Japanese manufacturer to fully start realizing their potential and win races.

"I think we will make a good step forward in 2008 from last year, although that isn't really that hard," said Button in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live.

"But we are not going to be winning races and I don't want people to think that, because it is not the case.

"The important thing is to start with a good car and improve every race to get closer to Ferrari and McLaren. Ross is a big part of that. If we have a competitive car by the end of next season, then I will be very happy for 2008.

"But I think we need to concentrate on now and do the hard work that will pay off for the future."

He added: "We could be challenging to win races in 2009, and also challenging for the championship. I think we have some real technical direction with Ross Brawn in the team."

Button said that the arrival of Brawn meant Honda no longer had any excuses not be battling right at the front of the field.

"When I heard Ross was going to become part of the team I was so, so happy," he said. "It is one of the best things that could happen to the team and it really shows Honda's focus to achieve for them to employ someone with so much talent.

"As Michael Schumacher said of Ross, he is the 'super-brain' of formula one. If he cannot help us win a championship then we do not deserve to be here. Last season was very frustrating.

"But towards the end of the year we realised what our issues were and we put them right, not just in terms of improving the car but also in terms of personnel.

"We were lacking some quality aerodynamicists but we have them now, and they have come in with some great ideas. I think we can achieve a lot in the future and we are all going to work very hard."