Planet-F1

Jense predicts a two-pronged Red Bull attack

Friday 10th July 2009

Jenson Button is wary of a two-pronged Red Bull assault on his bid to return to winning ways in Germany this weekend.

Button has a healthy 25-point lead over Sebastian Vettel, with the German's team-mate in Mark Webber a further 3.5 points behind going into Sunday's race at the Nurburgring.

Following their one-two finish in the British Grand Prix just under three weeks ago, when Button could only manage sixth, ending a run of four successive wins, they are now the favourites to follow up on their success at Silverstone.

Although Vettel is the man being tipped for a third race win this season on home soil, Button believes Australian Webber is firmly in the running to end his 128-race drought without a victory.

"It's going to be a difficult weekend," assessed Brawn GP driver Button.

"The Red Bull is not just Sebastian because I think Mark is going to be quick here.

"He has more experience round here than Sebastian does. Sebastian has never raced in an F1 car here."

Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the duo, Button added: "If you look at the two drivers, Sebastian looks like he can be quicker.

"But consistency-wise, Webber looks stronger. He's a lot smoother and looks less ragged than Sebastian. It's two different styles.

"I just hope they (Red Bull) are doing the same as us, which is looking after both drivers in the same way.

"We are eight races in and we all deserve a fair shot at it, with Mark just 3.5 points behind Sebastian.

"They are fighting each other, as Rubens (Barrichello) and myself are.

"I've obviously a bigger lead over Rubens (23 points), but still not enough, if you know what I mean, and we are allowed to race.

"The thing is we don't know who is going to be on top in this race because there are four cars we know are going to be competitive.

"There's a chance the Ferraris and Toyotas are going to be there as well.

"But if you look at the last couple of races you'd say it was the Red Bulls and the Brawns in front.

"It's exciting because you never know who is going to be on the front row or going to cross the line first."

At least the unpredictable weather in the Eifel mountains will not be such a factor as at Silverstone when cool temperatures greatly affected the running of the tyres, and ultimately performance of Button's car.

Despite light rain forecast for Sunday and a high of 17 degrees, Button added: "I don't think it's such an issue here because we have the super-soft tyre, which is good.

"They work well for us. Even with these temperatures I think we can get it to work well, and maybe other teams will struggle with it."