Despite presenting a new concept with the Google Earth and environmental awareness theme, Honda Racing’s Jenson Button is not confident that their new car will be among the front runners at the season opening Australian Grand Prix in just over two weeks time.

With teams planning to fly out to Melbourne by next weekend, there is one final major test to ensure that all their hard work over winter will pay dividends where it is needed most, up against their rivals in a race scenario, however Button has admitted that they are still trying to catch their rivals on the test track in terms of speed.

“I wouldn’t say we are going to be winning in Melbourne unless we are very, very lucky,” he said in the Sun. “We are not going to be on the same pace as the Ferraris and McLarens for the first race, which is disappointing. We don’t have a car that is quick enough so we aren’t going to be winning races. For now, we just have to forget about winning and think about improving this car and it will all happen after that.”

However, he believes that the car in its current configuration has already taken a step forward and although they are having a few issues adapting to the new Bridgestone rubber, he is confident that further improvements are on the agenda and he is still planning to challenge for championship honours….

“My championship dream is still alive, we want to challenge this year.”