DECEMBER 6, 2006

Button to miss more tests

The word is that Jenson Button will not only miss this week's testing in Jerez but that the Honda driver will now not be seen again in action this year - and that means that he probably won't be racing at the Race of Champions in Paris as it makes little sense to take any further risks if he is not ready to test F1 cars.

The Honda team will continue to use Rubens Barrichello, Christian Klien and James Rossiter to do the work but there is no question that the longer Button stays out the more catching up he will have to do, particularly in relation to the tyres as Honda is switching from Michelin to Bridgestone this winter. This is not an insurmountable problem but the sooner it is fixed the better.