Jenson Button's world title bid got a boost today when rival Sebastian Vettel was told he will receive no help from Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber.

Speaking ahead of the opening practice sessions for the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo, Webber also claimed Button would be the more deserving champion.

This sudden, and potentially damaging split in the Red Bull ranks plays right into the hands of Button, who knows that Vettel, on a roll following his dominating drive from pole position to the chequered flag in Japan a fortnight ago, remains a threat to his hopes of a maiden title.

The 22-year-old German is 16 points behind leader Button with a maximum of 20 to be won this weekend and at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in a fortnight's time.

Vettel knows that he must win, or at the very least finish second, on Sunday to keep his title hopes alive. And yesterday he placed faith in Webber offering a helping hand if the occasion arose.

He said: "Mark's not on a joyride when he gets in his car, but for sure, if the situation came up that I might need help in any way, he's the last one to deny it. He will do anything to help the team."

When Webber was asked if he would drive to team orders he replied: "I doubt it."

The 33-year-old, who scored his first-ever grand prix victory in Germany in July but who has failed to take a point from his last five starts, wants to end the season on a high, both for himself and for his own mechanics.

He said: "My guys are fired up for a good result, so we're going to come here and try and get one."

Vettel has delivered some stunning drives in only his second full season as a member of the Formula One elite but Webber believes Button has been in a class of his own.

He said: "There's no one else who deserves the championship more than him. He's won more races than anyone. He's done a lot of overtaking, the other guys haven't done that, and he's done a lot to get himself out of sticky situations to keep his championship alive. Is he going to win the championship and will he deserve it? Yes."

A fierce, if friendly, rivalry exists at Brawn between Button and Rubens Barrichello, who is desperate to win at his home circuit.

They are separated by 14 points with Button knowing he can afford to finish as low as third on Sunday to put the title beyond his team-mate's reach, even if Barrichello races to victory in front of his own passionate 'Paulista' supporters.

But form is with Barrichello, the 37-year-old veteran about to start his 287th grand prix. Button may have established his title charge with six wins from the opening seven races of the season, but in the past eight races Barrichello has outpaced the other Brawn GP car seven times in qualifying and won twice.

Over the same period Button has not finished higher than second and has banked just 24 points to his team-mate's 36.

Button, 29, said: "If Rubens won the world championship I would be very disappointed. But I would also respect the fact that he did a better job over the 17 races. And I would also respect the fact that he's worked as hard as I have, or maybe harder, and that he's the better driver over those 17 races."

But Button is determined to become the 10th British driver to lift the Formula One crown. "For me, this feels the right time," he said. "I'm excited about the weekend."

Not least because he can help Brawn GP secure the constructors' title in their maiden season as a world championship contender.

Ross Brawn's outfit, born out of the Honda team after their Japanese backer quit Formula One back in December, need just half a point to put the title beyond the reach of Red Bull.

"It's an amazing story, it is a Hollywood movie," said Button. "Everyone within the team has worked so very, very hard and they deserve whatever success we achieve."