Button predicts four-way battle

World Champion Jenson Button is predicting that Ferrari, McLaren, Brawn GP and Red Bull will fight for the 2010 title.

Although his future with Brawn GP has yet to be finalised despite their stunning successes this season, Button is expected to remain with the team, in whom Mercedes-Benz are set to acquire a 75 per cent stake.

Given such backing, Button and Brawn would hope to be contenders again alongside their 2009 rivals, with Formula One's more usual heavyweights looking to get back on the pace after a difficult season.

Both Ferrari and McLaren struggled to adapt to the sport's biggest set of rule changes in 25 years because of the efforts they made fighting for the 2008 World Championship.

However, the only major rule change for next season will be a refuelling ban and Button said: "Ferrari and McLaren are going to be competitive.

"They have the resources, the expertise, competitive drivers, so for sure they are going to be quick.

"They've had a different approach over the last few races. If you look at Ferrari, they've said they've had no development.

"It is unusual to hear that as there's not much that changes for next season.

"But it seems McLaren have thrown everything at the car and have been very competitive over the last few races.

"So going into next year, they're going to be quicker compared to the start of this season.

"But I don't think they're suddenly going to be stronger than Red Bull and Brawn.

"I think there's going to be a big battle at the front, which is going to be a new thing for all of us.

"Having four teams, eight drivers fighting it out at the front for wins, that hasn't happened for a while. That's exciting."

Vettel confident

In contrast to Ferrari and McLaren, meanwhile, Sebastian Vettel is confident his Red Bull team have not placed too great an emphasis on 2009, rather than focusing on next year's car.

Vettel, winner of Sunday's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of team-mate Mark Webber and Button, said: "We are a team and we are professional.

"You might read here and there that other teams stopped developing this year, looking ahead to next year.

"But the regulations aren't changing too much. The biggest change is no refuelling but other than that the cars will remain similar, similar shapes.

"The people know what they are doing back in Milton Keynes (at the Red Bull factory), so I'm very confident. I think we can only get stronger."