Button upbeat ahead of start of season

Honda failed to shine during most of winter testing, although they showed improved pace during a part of last week's test in Bahrain.

Button admits the new RA107 was not born as competitive as the team would have liked, but he claims hard work is starting to pay dividends, and last week's test has left the British driver upbeat for the start of the season in Australia.

"The winter's been... interesting," the Briton told Sky News. "We started with a car that wasn't quite where we wanted it to be, but we've been testing hard and have improved the car a lot, so we're positive we got a good car.

"Maybe not as good as the top two teams, which are McLaren and Ferrari at the moment, but we can improve throughout the season.

"I'm feeling good. I fly tonight back to Bahrain for two days of testing, and I think everyone's excited about the new year. And I can't wait to get to Australia," added Button during the launch of his team's radical new livery.

The Briton predicts that, despite Michael Schumacher's retirement, the 2007 season will be one of the best in years thanks to a competitive field and talented young drivers.

"It is a bit disappointing that we haven't got Michael Schumacher, who is a very successful multiple world champion and it's always nice to have that in F1," he added.

"But we've got so many talented drivers this year that I think really think this is going to be one of the best years in F1, in many years."