Suzuka, Japan - If the 2009 Formula One season had started with the British Grand Prix in June, Jenson Button would be lying sixth in the drivers' standings. But it did not - it started in Australia in March and in the six races that followed up to the British Grand Prix, the Brawn GP driver amassed enough points to be the overwhelming favourite to be crowned Lewis Hamilton's successor.
With just three races remaining the 29-year-old has a 15-point lead from his team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Button could even win the title on the weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, if he manages to open a gap of 20 points or more on Barrichello or German's Sebastian Vettel.
The Briton said on the Brawn website that he was looking forward to racing in Japan. "Suzuka is such a fun circuit and I have lots of good memories from racing there over the years.
"It's a very fast-flowing lap and a real drivers' circuit just like Silverstone and Spa. I think everyone has missed having it on the calendar for the last few years.
"I have always enjoyed great support at Suzuka in the past from the Japanese fans who are so enthusiastic about the sport so we'll be hoping for more of the same this weekend and I can9t wait to race there again and put on a great show."
Button, who now has seven career victories under his belt, however warned against premature congratulations. "There are still so many permutations."
Although 25 points behind Button, Red Bull's Vettel still believes in his chances. "Of course they have a huge lead, but nothing is lost yet.
"Sure, we could have done some thing better, but all in all, it has been a wonderful season," the 22-year-old said.
For McLaren-Mercedes' Hamilton, who has picked up five points more in the last seven races than Button but still trails the Brawn driver by 47 points, racing on the 5.807 kilometre-long Suzuka course will be a new experience, never having raced there before.
"It feels like I have been waiting my whole life to race at Suzuka - so, as you can imagine, I'll be really excited when practice starts.
"Ever since I was a kid, I have raced Suzuka on computer games - and while it kind of gives you an idea of how the circuit goes, nothing can beat the real thing. It looks like a real driver's circuit.
"I'm also really looking forward to returning to Japan - it's one of my favourite countries and I love racing in front of the Japanese fans. It should be a great weekend," said Hamilton, who won in Singapore on the weekend.
For Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen, the Japanese Grand Prix will be an opportunity to show that his team made a mistake in getting rid of him and signing Fernando Alonso instead for next year.
The signing, which was probably Formula One's worst kept secret for the past few months, was announced on Wednesday, with the Finn refusing to criticise the team for their decision.
"With Ferrari, I have achieved what I set out to do in winning the title. We had good times and sometimes more difficult times, but that9s part of this business and you just have to get through those moments. We won many championships, one for me, two for the team and I have happy memories."
Raikkonen, who is looking for a new team, added that he was still looking forward to winning races in the new year. "I wouldn9t go to any of the small teams, where I would not have the chance to fight for the championship.
"If I race next year, that would be my goal, otherwise there is no reason to be in Formula 1. I achieved what I wanted, but if I race, then of course, I want to win more races and championship titles."
