Fast Button vows to enjoy Abu Dhabi
Two weeks ago when he clinched the title in Brazil, the Briton admitted to enduring months of stress, but his first reward is a race at the impressive Yas Marina Circuit with his lifelong dream already secure.
"It's been a while since I've jumped into an F1 car and not felt stressed or a little bit under pressure," he said, before going second quickest in opening practice on Friday afternoon behind the reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"The last time I wasn't thinking about the championship was my final race (for Honda) in 2008," Button added.
The session, with Sebastian Vettel and Rubens Barrichello respectively third and fourth quickest as they tussle for second in the championship, was watched on by the likes of Michael Schumacher and the injured Felipe Massa and Timo Glock.
The latter Toyota driver told reporters earlier on Friday that he is likely to be with a new employer in 2010.
Glock, 27, seemed to play down speculation he is close to a Renault deal, amid speculation he is also in talks with Sauber, some of the new teams, and possibly even McLaren.
"Maybe there will be a surprise within a week or two that nobody (in the media) has been talking about," said the German.