Button liberated by F1's new rules

By Alan Baldwin

LONDON (Reuters) - Jenson Button put Honda's dismal 2008 season behind him and looked forward to a brighter Formula One future after an encouraging test in Barcelona on Wednesday.

"It's nice to be back in a car that I enjoy driving," said Button, who scored just three points from his 18 races this year.

"Taking a lot of the downforce off and running on slick tyres suits my driving style a lot more than grooved tyres," he added in a team review of the first test since this month's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix.

Formula One's rules are changing next year, with the sport going back to slick tyres and adopting heavily revised aerodynamics to try and create more overtaking.

"I've had a fun couple of days and it's been very useful as we have tested many things which should help us with the new car," said Button. "It's been a positive start to 2009 already and I'm very pleased.

"I've just got to keep pushing the team hard now to get the improvements that we are hoping to achieve for next year."

Although he has yet to be confirmed for 2009, Button looks sure to stay with Honda but his team mate is still far from certain.

Honda have tested Brazilians Bruno Senna, nephew of the late triple champion Ayrton, and Lucas Di Grassi this week with both in with a shout of replacing their veteran compatriot Rubens Barrichello, who also hopes to stay.