Button says Brawn must get back on top in Hungary

By Alan Baldwin

NUERBURGRING, Germany (Reuters) - Jenson Button has spelt out in blunt terms what his Brawn GP team need to do after allowing Red Bull to bite another chunk out of their championship lead.

"We've got to kick some arse in Hungary (on July 26) and that's what we are going to try and do," the Formula One leader told reporters after finishing fifth on Sunday at a German Grand Prix won by Australian Mark Webber.

"Let's pray that we are quick there because if we are not we've got a problem," added Button, who had thought a podium finish was within his reach at the Nuerburgring.

Button leads Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel by 21 points, with Webber a further 1.5 points adrift, in the standings with eight of the season's 17 races remaining.

After winning six of the first seven races, the Brawn driver has finished sixth and fifth in the last two.

Red Bull, with both drivers now clear contenders despite the gap, have taken 24 points off Brawn in the last three races. Sunday was their third one-two of the season, and second in a row.

"The problem we have is to get quicker," Brawn team principal Ross Brawn said.

"We are not quick enough and we have to respond. Because if we don't, we will throw the championship away."