Button's hopes rest on new car test

The Japanese manufacturer are due to run their unofficial B-spec car for the first time at the Spanish test. Hopes in the team are high that it will deliver the speed and handling that the RA107 has been lacking so far this year.

Button says he is eager to find out just how much of a step forward the car is, after enduring a disappointing start to a campaign that he had hoped would deliver a world championship challenge.

"It's the test I'm most looking forward to of the whole year," said Button at Indianapolis. "There's going to be a few different things aero and mechanical wise.

"It's going to be an interesting test and one where we've all got our fingers crossed hoping it's going to make a big enough difference."

Button's only reservation about the test is that the team will only be up against Super Aguri, so they will not get a true gauge of just how much of a step forward the new developments have made.

"The only other car that's there is the Super Aguri which is a pity - but Silverstone's supposed to be raining next week so at least we'll get some decent running," he said. "And we should know very quickly whether they've made a big enough difference.

"I'm sure it's not a negative but it's all about whether it's made a big enough difference to take us forward to the Renault."