Button not expecting team orders

Jenson Button feels it would be too early to apply team orders when Formula 1 action resumes in Belgium at the start of next month. With eleven races down and nine to go in 2011, the former World Champion sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship and 88 points in arrears of leader Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton is fourth, 47 points behind.

Button started the campaign in fine fashion, winning in Melbourne and picking up second place in China. He failed to score another podium until Germany last month.

“I don't think the team will actually ask me to do that," Button told Sky Sports when asked if McLaren should now back Hamilton for the title. “I personally feel that, until I can't win the championship, there is a chance – you really do never know.

“But I’m also a team player and it’s very important for the team to win the Constructors' Championship – and that is one of our biggest aims this year. The last few races have been very good for the team; I got a second and Lewis got a win. I feel that the upgrades on the car have really, really helped us and that will make a big, big difference when we come back."

Button’s only rostrum so far at Spa came last year, when he finished third behind a Red Bull one-two. In 2010, he was running second but taken out of the race by a wayward Sebastian Vettel.