I'm a Better Driver Now, Says Button

Jenson Button believes his technical understanding of Formula One has improved during the difficult season that he has had to endure at Benetton this year.

Button was only in his second full year of Formula One after an impressive debut with Williams in 2000, and although things did not go to plan after his move to Benetton the year has been a real learning experience.

Although unsure whether the word 'character building' often associated with his time at Benetton over the year is quite right, he admitted he has come out of it much stronger.

"Hopefully I am a better driver for all of this," said Button. "I don't know, but I certainly think more about the car and set up now. I've learned a lot and the engineers are happier for it too.

"I worked hard with the engineers on that. I put in more work on it and I became more interested - but I don't go too far. I leave the detail to the engineers."

Button, 21, suffered most of the year as teammate Giancarlo Fisichella benefited from continuity having been at the team for three years.