NASCAR Cup Series

McLaren's Button predicts faster GP in Melbourne

Published Mar. 23, 2010 10:55 a.m. ET

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World champion Jenson Button is expecting a vast improvement in his own performance as well as the overall race at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix this weekend after a disappointing seventh-place finish in his debut for McLaren at the season-opening Bahrain GP.

Button led then-Brawn GP teammate Rubens Barricello in a 1-2 finish in the last Australian GP, with current teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing third in what was the season-opening race of 2009.

Hamilton was third behind Ferrari pair Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa in the 2010 season opener earlier this month at Bahrain, where a new ban on in-race refueling led to harsh criticism that it resembled a procession because of a lack of overtaking.

Melbourne's Albert Park circuit is one both McLaren's British drivers enjoy.

``I think we'll be a lot closer here. This circuit should suit as well,'' Button said Tuesday. ``Lewis has had a good time here before and also I have so hopefully we can get a good result.

``Last year was a fairytale race for me. I took pole and victory, which was one of the most satisfying and emotional moments of my career.''

Button agreed the Bahrain race lacked drama and excitement, with drivers being cautious to avoid tire wear and teams using just the one pit stop.

``The last race was not the most exciting from a fan's point of view,'' Button said. ``I think we can improve it and it takes all of us to look at what happened and not get too worried about it and hope that this race is better.

``We all need to work on improving the spectacle if it's not there - but hopefully it will be.''

Button said he was more accustomed to his McLaren after the Bahrain race and expected a better run in Melbourne, where there was no tight low-speed sections.

``We learnt some very useful lessons in the opening race, and the whole team is keen to put them into practice this weekend,'' Button said.

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