Willis: Still a Long Way to Go for BAR

Jenson Button's podium at the Malaysian Grand Prix is just one rung on the ladder of BAR-Honda's long-term plan for World Championship, according to the team's technical director Geoff Willis.

Button scored his maiden top-three finish at Sepang to mark the best result for the new BAR regime under team principal Dave Richards but, speaking at the Bahrain Grand Prix, Willis warned against complacency.

"It is certainly an encouraging start to the season," Willis said. "This is the third year of a graded plan and we are nicely on time with getting the first podium, not the first podium ever but the first podium where we have raced through for it. That was very important for the team and also very important for Jenson.

"We have made big improvements to the car, we thought it was going to be a lot better and it is certainly proving itself. (But) we have still got a long way to go. We haven't reached the level at which we will stop. But I think a good start.

"It's logical, we are progressing steadily, and it is our target to get faster relative to the rest of the grid throughout the year."

Button has claimed two points finishes this season to move onto nine points, but teammate Takuma Sato has yet to get off the mark since stepping up from his role as a test driver last year. Since the departure of Jacques Villeneuve, Willis has seen Button take on the lead driver mantle impressively and he believes the 24-year-old British driver is beginning to move onto a new level.

"Jenson has a lot of experience - this is his fifth year of Formula One - so I think sometimes his appearance of a calm and very laid-back attitude belies the fact that underneath it he is very, very focused on what he is doing," Willis added. "With his position now he is certainly able to influence the team, to give that leadership from the cockpit that is important.

"I certainly think he has stepped up to the next level. It might be that the podium position has confirmed to him that podiums are achievable, not just for him but also that the car is able to get there. I think probably you will see another big step from him and the team as a result."