Button seeks German turnaround

Button just missed out on a podium spot at his home event and the Briton admitted after the race that the team had slipped back in recent weeks following a storming first-half of the season. It now faces a fight with a rejuvenated McLaren team whose MP4-19B has shown impressive pace from the off.

The BAR 006 is set to feature mechanical, aerodynamic and engine upgrades at Hockenheim which technical director Geoff Willis recently said had been in the pipeline for some time. The components were tested at Jerex last week and Button hopes these will aid the outfit's bid to catch Renault in the constructors' championship.

"Even though we were disappointed not to secure a podium finish at Silverstone last week, it wasn't too bad considering McLaren's step up in form," Button said. "Looking towards the German Grand Prix, I think that we should be a lot stronger in Hockenheim as our car is well-suited to the circuit. The track demands good traction and our car is strong in this area. We now need to concentrate our efforts on fighting the Renaults and to enable us to do this we need to have both cars finish the race in the points."

Team-mate Takuma Sato is confident the team is moving forward despite him being hampered by engine and gearbox problems during testing at Jerez.

"I raced at Hockenheim in 2002 when the circuit reopened after its major changes," Sato said. "It has been reconstructed into a very technical circuit which always provides an exciting race and gives us some great overtaking opportunities. Silverstone was a tough race for me, and I have had a few frustrations at our test in Jerez this week. However, some elements of the test programme have produced quite promising results, so I am very much looking forward to the German Grand Prix next week."

Team boss David Richards hopes Hockenheim sees a return to the squad's earlier form. "We took away many positives from Silverstone, despite what, on the face of it, was a fairly average result for us - particularly at our home Grand Prix," he said. "The test team have made good progress with our latest developments in Jerez this week and with seven races remaining we have to maintain every ounce of the momentum that has brought us so far already this season in order to pursue a top three place in the Championship. Personally I'm hopeful that the German Grand Prix will mark a return to the podium for BAR."