Jenson Button endured a nightmare of a Formula One season last year as he struggled with a woefully uncompetitive Honda in which he finished in the points only three times. Like everyone in the shell-shocked British-based but Japanese-funded outfit, Button believes a corner has been turned with the recent appointment of Ross Brawn, the former technical director at Ferrari, as team principal.

Brawn has already made changes but Button admitted that it will not be until the 2009 season that he will be in a position to fight for the World Championship.

“I think we’ll be a lot closer to the front in 2008 and, in 2009,” Button said. “If we can get to that position with a good car, then this team will win the World Championship. As a team we are very, very strong.”

The British driver is well aware that Brawn cannot change things overnight. “I think that everyone is positive and doing a great job. The way of working in the team has changed a lot already,” he said.

Meanwhile, the owners of Silverstone, which could lose the British Grand Prix once its contract expires at the end of next year, say they are hopeful a new deal will be reached with Bernie Ecclestone, the Formula One ringmaster. Richard Phillips, the managing director, said: “We know what is required; we need a new pit and paddock for that to happen and all those plans are going through.”