Chinese GP set to decide Button's champion ambition_English

By sportswriter Zhang Rongfeng

SHANGHAI, April 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Grand Prix of Formula One world championship is set to pronounce what height Brawn GP's driver Jenson Button can reach in the season.

The British driver produced a stunning season opening after two Grands Prix in Australia and Malaysia, assembling a maximum of 15 points as the Sepang circuit race was cut short due to heavy rainfall.

Brawn GP Formula One driver Button drives out of the pit during the first free practice session of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit, in Shanghai, east China, on April 17, 2009. Button clocked the 2nd fastest time of 1:37.450 in the first session.

Brawn GP Formula One driver Button drives out of the pit during the first free practice session of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit, in Shanghai, east China, on April 17, 2009. Button clocked the 2nd fastest time of 1:37.450 in the first session. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)
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The FIA's Appeal of Court made a decision on Wednesday for the controversial "double-decker" diffuser to be legal, which gives Button green light for the coming races.

FIA's decision threw away Button's worries of being removed consecutive wins in the first two GPs of the season and remaining the lead in the drivers' standing.

But the first and half wins can not be persuasive for the most unexpected favorite for the drivers' championship in year. The result in Shanghai International Circuit will tell how far the Englishman can go this season.

A hat-trick victory surely can prove Button's insurmountability for the season. It won't be a quick job for the conventional diffuser teams to change the key kit and catch up for season triumph, especially for the traditional giants Ferrari, which is still pointless this season.

Some teams may introduce new rear bodywork this weekend but others will take much longer to fully make the step.

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gets ready for the first free practice session of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit, in Shanghai, east China, on April 17, 2009. Hamilton clocked the fastest time of 1:37.334 in the first session.

McLaren Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain gets ready for the first free practice session of the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International circuit, in Shanghai, east China, on April 17, 2009. Hamilton clocked the fastest time of 1:37.334 in the first session.(Xinhua/Fan Jun)
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McLaren took an edge to adopt a half-done double-decker diffuser on Friday's practices, which proved to work some way as defending champion Lewis Hamilton clocked a fastest lap in the first session.

But other teams' attempts of trying to copy Brawn GP will be hampered by the ban on testing this year that restricts track-time outside races to the two practice sessions on Friday and one on Saturday morning at Grand Prix weekends.

A out-of-podium finish for Button will leave the drivers' title open in spite of lowly performance by Hamilton (1 point).

Hamilton seemed to be back on track on Friday's first practice session clocking a fastest time in 1:37.334, leaving Button in second by 0.116 seconds. But the season stunner fought back to a much better 1:35.679 in second practice in the afternoon.

Button just keeps a clear mind at the moment. "I am understandably delighted with how our season has begun, but we are only two races in and everyone at the team is aware that our competitors will not stand still," said the 29 year-old Englishman on Friday.