Button Still Hopeful of Becoming World Champion

Despite a disappointing season with the Benetton team in 2001, Briton Jenson Button still believes he can become Formula One World Champion in the future.

The 21-year old, who made his Formula One debut with the Williams team last season, enjoyed an impressive rookie year in 2000, becoming the youngest ever point scorer at the Brazilian Grand Prix. But Button had to move to Benetton following the entry of Juan Pablo Montoya this season, and he has struggled to match the pace of teammate Giancarlo Fisichella.

The Italian driver, who will drive for Jordan in 2002, has scored eight points compared to Button's two. However, despite a frustrating season with the Renault-owned team, Button still believes he is on the right track to become World Champion.

"It has been quite frustrating," Button said. "But you can't do anything about it except do your best and appreciate that you are doing your best. If you get down, it doesn't help at all. So much in F1 is if you have the right mental attitude. It's huge. More than I ever thought - it's very, very important to be positive.

"I sort of realised that my inexperience really did show this year. When I was further up the grid in a car that really suited my style, it was not a problem. But when you get into a car that does not suit your style, it is very difficult to work with it when you are inexperienced. But I have learned so much this year on how to work with this car. Hopefully that will help me over the next year with this team.

"I have always wanted to do F1," he added. "I am very focused on F1, and I am hopefully on the route to meet my goal, which is to be World Champion and to win races. That is what I want."