Jenson Button has predicted Honda will make big progress over the next two seasons and is hopeful of being able to challenge for the world championship in 2009. After a wretched season last year in which the team scored just six points, the Brackley squad scored a huge coup over the winter in luring Ross Brawn to be its new principal to help transform its fortunes.
Button has made no secret of his delight in the team’s capture of the former Ferrari mastermind and speaking at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham on Saturday he revealed his confidence for the future.
"I'm so happy that we've got Ross," he said.
"On his own he's not going to turn the team around, but I think that everyone is positive and doing a great job.
“He's fitted in quicker than everyone imagined, and the way of working in the team has changed a lot already.
"I think we'll be a lot closer to the front in 2008, and in 2009, we have to be fighting for the world championship.”
And he has no doubts that should the team build a car good enough to challenge for the title then it has the expertise in place to capitalise on it.
“If we can get to that position with a good car, then this team will win the world championship,” he said.
“As a team, we are very, very strong."
