Formula One has reached the business end of the season with Jenson Button still leading the world championship race by 14 points from team-mate Rubens Barrichello. After a stunning start to the season, in which the Briton won six of the opening seven races, he has slowly seen his lead whittled away by the Brazilian, who goes into Sunday's Sinagpore Grand Prix with two wins from the last three races. The question remains whether Button can hold off his Brawn GP team‑mate in what has effectively turned into a two‑horse race for the title. Here, two experts offer their opinion . . .

Yes says Jonathan Legard BBC commentator

Given the last week, nothing is a done deal in Formula One but, with a 14-point lead, you'd have to say that Button is the overwhelming favourite for the title. I think he'll do it.

With just 40 points up for grabs, the title race is definitely just between Button and Barrichello. Although there will be no team orders and Ross Brawn will allow them to fight it out on track, the fact is that Button is in the far better position. 

If you're the chaser, you have to take all the risks. Imagine this was the Premier League and you were Arsenal or Manchester United, you'd far rather be at the top of the table than having to reel in Chelsea.

And the simple fact is that Barrichello could win the next four races and yet still not win the title. You can say an engine problem or mechanical failure could change things but that's unlikely to happen. Between Barrichello and Button in 13 races, they've had just one mechanical failure so I just don't see that being an issue.

Both Brawns should be good in Singapore. They've got new parts — a revamped rear and front wings — it's a circuit that should suit them with its slow corners and, with the temperatures expected, there shouldn't be the same tyre issue that has dogged Button in the past of struggling to get heat into them.

Brawn have got the constructors' title wrapped up and, in the drivers' race, it's all about whether Button can keep it on track which he should do if Monza two weeks ago was anything to go by.

When everything is working for Button, he is a supreme competitor. He's a very sensitive driver and not in the sense that he's overly emotional. It's the way he drives the car — he's not aggressive like Michael Schumacher, who hustled the car. And if the car is not exactly 100 per cent in tune, he can be off key. That's why Monza was important because, having struggled for so many races, he had the belief back.

A lot of people claimed he was tightening up and getting nervous but, to me, he never panicked. It never struck me that he was cracking up.

No says Johnny Herbert Former F1 driver

At the start of the season, there was absolutely no pressure on Button when he was winning all those races. The pressure has mounted in the last six races really and, barring Monza, he's struggled.

People are saying the title's a done deal but I don't see that. If you look at the last four races and you have a mirror image for the final four then the title could easily be Barrichello's. Of the two, he's stronger mentally as there's no pressure on him while it's piling up on Button.

Psychologically, when you're in the same car and someone's doing considerably better, it's hard on your mind and that's happening now at Brawn.
If Button wins on Sunday, he looks good for the title but I don't see that happening. Barrichello will look to carry on his winning ways and that will add to the pressure on Button.

People say 14 points is too much for Barrichello to make up. It's a lot but it's not insurmountable and things can change so quickly in F1. If Barrichello wins and Button crashes out like he did in Spa then there's just four points in it. In that case, you'd probably be backing Barrichello with three races to go.

Then there's the factor of the other cars that could be competitive for the rest of the season. At Singapore, Lewis Hamilton should be very good with the upgrades expected from McLaren, Kimi Raikkonen looks to have found some form and Fernando Alonso showed in practice in particular last year he can be quick at the circuit.

You could argue they might take away points from Barrichello but then there's the possibility that he could win, followed by that trio with Button scrapping it out for fifth and that changes things altogether.

Always for me, the final races of the season mattered most. That's what you'll be remembered for — how you finished the year. It can go either way and Button can't rest on his laurels.