New Engine Boosts BAR's Hopes for China

Although the Briton qualified on the front row of the grid at Suzuka, he did not have the pace to fight for a podium finish in the race and slipped back to eventually finish fifth.

But heading to Shanghai, Button is keeping his fingers crossed that the team can get to the bottom of their lack of race pace.

"We were on the podium last year and we know it's a track that should suit this year's car," he said. "We did some good work in testing for the last couple of races and though I'm reluctant to make any predictions after a disappointing home race for the team in Japan, I think we will be stronger in China.

"We have a busy week ahead though looking at where things went wrong for us and what we can do to make sure we can step up again to end a tough season on a high note."

BAR's chances of shining in the final race will be boosted by the fact that Takuma Sato will be given Honda's most powerful V10 engine for the China race.

The Japanese driver is due an engine change for this event, while Button must stick with the same power-unit that he ran in Suzuka.

Honda's engineering director Shuhei Nakamoto said: "We've been pleased with the progress we have made with our engine development through the year and we have our most powerful engine for the last race of the V10 regulation in China. We'll be doing all we can to finish the season with a good result."