Button ultra-positive about 2005

Button proved the most popular winner of the evening at the Grosvenor House ceremony in London - and believed the seal of approval from the fans would be just the start of a new chapter of success for the Briton.

Speaking exclusively to autosport.com after the glittering awards ceremony, Button said: "I just want to say a big thank you really to my fans for their support and hopefully I will be the next British world champion.

"If it doesn't happen next year I won't be disappointed but, all I know is, I will give everything I can. I will work as hard as I can with the team I am working with, and perform to the maximum I can - which is 100 per cent.

"The team is also very, very happy to have Honda on board. It has given a big boost to the team and it will be a help for the 2005 season. We might not win the championship, but we might. You never know until the new cars come out. But we are all happy and we are looking forward to next year."

With the fall-out of his on-off switch to Williams now firmly behind him, and BAR having confirmed its closer ties with engine manufacturer Honda, Button is incredibly bullish about the prospects for 2005 - where he hopes that the sport's new technical regulations will allow his BAR team to close the gap on Ferrari.

"It's difficult to say how it will go, you know," he added. "I am more positive than most of the team are, but that is just my way. I think that if I was in the right car then I could be world champion.

"Our new car I think will be good, but we don't know how good. We haven't tested it yet and people are testing with different aero levels so it is impossible to say at the moment. It is probably the most difficult year to distinguish what position we are in compared to Ferrari."

Button also echoed his comments from the ceremony where he admitted that he
felt a little embarrassed to have beaten world champion Michael Schumacher to the International Racing Driver accolade - but he had no complaints.

"It's a little bit embarrassing because we saw Michael win loads of races this year and I haven't won a race yet," said Button. "This award means a lot because it is for the most inspiring driver and I think I had some great performance this year.

"The team also did a great job and, to get 10 podiums with the package we had, is fantastic. Hopefully this trophy will help me to bigger things in the future."