Button feeling good about Monza

Button has taken just 11 points from the last five Grand Prix and seen his championship lead cut to 16 points prompting Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner and Ferrari driver Felipe Massa to question whether he is buckling under the strain.

But Button said: "Monza is a fantastic track, and I love the passion that the Italian fans bring to the race weekend. The circuit is very different to most of the circuits we race on, because the car will be set up with the lowest levels of drag and downforce possible to take advantage of the long straights."

He added: "It always takes a few laps to get used to - and because we haven't tested at Monza this season, the practice sessions will be very important.

"It's a circuit that should be reasonably good for our car if we get the handling right over the kerbs, so we're feeling positive and excited about the challenge."

Monza is also a track that will definitely suit the cars fitted with KERS, the device that provides a short power boost at the push of a button.

It means McLaren and Ferrari should be strong, while Renault have also dusted down their device for a one-off return.

On the fastest track of the season, Brawn boss Ross Brawn knows his team have to hit the ground running from Friday practice; otherwise it could be another long weekend.

"From a technical point of view, Monza should be a track where our car will work well - although we do expect the KERS cars to have a significant advantage," he confirmed.

"Our car is good on both brakes and traction, which are important at Monza, and we have the benefit of the Mercedes-Benz engine on this power-sensitive circuit."