Webber as much of a threat as Vettel, says Button

By Alan Baldwin

NUERBURGRING, Germany (Reuters) - Brawn's Jenson Button suspects Mark Webber could be a bigger threat to him in Sunday's German Grand Prix than the Australian's Red Bull team mate Sebastian Vettel.

Vettel, 22, has won twice this season and has home advantage at the Nuerburgring where tens of thousands of locals will be cheering him on.

However championship leader Button told reporters on Thursday that Webber, still chasing a first victory after 132 grands prix entered, could be the one to watch.

"I think Mark is going to be quick here. He has more experience round here than Sebastian does. Sebastian has never raced in an F1 car here," he said.

"Consistency-wise, Webber looks stronger," added the Briton, who was a team mate of the Australian at Benetton when Webber was the test driver.

"He's a lot smoother and looks less ragged than Sebastian. There's two different styles and I don't know which is better.

"Mark is just 3.5 points behind Sebastian. They are fighting each other as (Brawn's Brazilian) Rubens (Barrichello) and myself are.

"I obviously have a bigger lead over Rubens, but still not enough," added Button, who is 23 points clear of Barrichello and 25 ahead of Vettel with nine races left.