Button looking forward to sweltering Sepang showdown

The drivers' rigorous pre-season fitness training will certainly pay dividends this weekend in Malaysia as they contend with the fierce heat and humidity. The demanding 15-turn, 5.543km track features a pair of parallel straights plus a combination of low and medium-speed corners that really test drivers.

The surface is wide and smooth with overtaking most likely to occur under braking for the tight corners at the end of each straight. Sepang is regarded as one of the most physically demanding tracks on the F1 calendar, with the extremely high levels of humidity making the race particularly demanding for drivers.

Jenson Button, though, has an encouraging record of success at the venue and arrives in the Far East in good spirits after a strong showing in last Sunday’s season opener.

"Having finished fourth at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which is the highest position we've finished in at the first race of a season, I am really looking forward to showing what we can do at the next race,” says Jenson Button. “It's reassuring that we come away from Bahrain knowing that we genuinely have the pace to compete with the other top teams. Our car should work well at every circuit this year but particularly at hot races like Malaysia where the conditions are very well suited to our tyres.

"The Malaysian Grand Prix holds fond memories for me because it is where I achieved my first podium in Formula One. I enjoy racing there as it has a lot of quick, flowing corners as well as some really fast straights. I think we can expect another exciting race this weekend."