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Exclusive Q&A: Jenson Button on the new style of racing and who the favourites are

Plus why Ron Dennis's McLaren return is keeping everyone on their toes

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McLaren's Jenson Button believes Mercedes and Williams will pose the biggest test to his title chances this season, on the basis of winter's testing.

Jenson Button tells Sky Sports News Reporter Craig Slater who he thinks the favourites are heading into the Australian Grand Prix, where McLaren stand, F1's new style of racing and the difference Ron Dennis's return has made.

CS: Fuel consumption is the other big issue people are worried about. In the 1980s we saw cars concede to another car because they were on different fuel strategies, is that something we might see again?
JB: "It has been my worry over the winter that the racing wouldn't be as exciting, but looking at testing I think we are all going to run to pretty much a similar race of when we push and we are not going to push so you are still going to see some good overtaking manoeuvres. It is very hard for a racing driver to say, 'Right I am going to let this guy past because he is on a different strategy to me', so you are still going to see some great racing. It might be a bit different, but we are there to race, there to fight and there to win." CS: Will these new rules suit a smoother driver - would someone like Alain Prost have relished these changes compared to someone that is a bit more gung-ho?
JB: "Formula 1 is very different these days with the aero regulations and the way that the tyres work, so I think we are always finding it difficult to understand which is the best way to go racing. Sometimes smooth doesn't work and sometimes it doesn't make any difference which driving style you have - it is about how much fuel you save and what car that is underneath you. So it is going to be a very complicated season and we really have to keep our heads when we go to the first race and not let our emotions take over and really work closely as a team and make the most out of what we have." CS: You and Lewis Hamilton have both said that the Red Bull car maybe isn't as bad as many people are making out - he called it a stunning car - do you expect them to be challengers in the first part of the season? Will they bounce back quickly?
JB: "I think you will see them putting in very good laps in qualifying. Whether they can get to the end of a race or not I don't know. For any team, to get to the end of a race is very difficult - especially at the start of the season - and if you do get to the end of the race there are some good points up for grabs. I think for the smaller teams it is the best chance to score points - especially the two teams that haven't scored a point in F1. It is going to be a tough start to the season, reliability is important, but to win you just don't need reliability, you need a competitive car and an intelligent team behind you that really understands what it takes to win a race." CS: Ron Dennis is back in charge at McLaren. He is an authority figure; is everyone that bit more on their toes?
JB: "Yes, and I think in a good way. He is quite an unusual character Ron, I have a lot of respect for what he has done in the sport - this team wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Ron - and I think everyone is excited, he is looking forward to this challenge and it gives everyone a lot more confidence within in the team. So yes, I think him being back at the team is very important for the future of McLaren." CS: The England football team are getting a psychologist in to help them - is that something you would use? Is it an asset to any elite sportsman?
JB: "I am sure it is and I know certain drivers have had it in the past. But personally, no, it wouldn't work for me. You have to believe in that for it to work for you and that is not the case for me." CS: How confident are you heading to Melbourne and what can you achieve there?
JB: "If you took the initial package of everyone at the first test you would say that we are quite confident. But now it is difficult to know; we haven't put the new package on the car and we don't know where we are going to be in Melbourne. But I am looking forward to it, it is going to be very interesting to see how the race pans out and I don't think we are really going to know the pecking order until we get three or four races in - and again it could change as the update kits come. But it is a really exciting category Formula 1 now with the way the regulations are, it is exciting for everyone involved and hopefully for the viewers as well."

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