Title is ‘Button’s to lose now’

Mark Webber says the Formula 1 world title is Jenson Button‘s to lose as the Brawn GP driver prepares to take a 23-point lead into the German Grand Prix 2009.

The Englishman has won six of the first eight races, and Webber says only mechanical problems can deny him now.

“I don’t see Button losing the fight himself,” Webber told BBC Sport.

“He’s been so impressively consistent and just doesn’t make mistakes. If he loses the title now, it will be down to a problem from the team, not him.”

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel is the only other driver to take the chequered flag this season, winning in wet conditions in China and at Silverstone where Brawn GP struggled with lower track temperatures.

But Webber believes Button, who holds a 28.5-point advantage over him and a 25-point lead over Vettel, has built a big enough cushion to protect his position in the final nine races.

“Button has such a big lead that he can afford not to win points in a few races and still stay ahead,” said the Australian, who has been on the podium four times in 2009.

from bbc