Button already looking to 2012

Jenson Button secured his third victory of the season, and first in Japan © Sutton Images

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Jenson Button says winning the Japanese Grand Prix "really does mean a lot" but that he's already looking to mount a championship challenge in 2012.

Button beat Fernando Alonso by just 1.1 seconds in a thrilling race, passing team-mate Lewis Hamilton on the way before jumping Sebastian Vettel in the pit stops. Button said that the team had delivered an "impeccable" performance, and that winning on the iconic Suzuka circuit was a special moment for him.

"This circuit is very special to all of us," Button said. "We love this place, so to get a victory here, in front of such an amazing Japanese crowd really does mean a lot. It's a big thanks to the team for the improvements we've had over the last few races and today they've been impeccable, so congratulations to them and congratulations to the fans; I think that we put on a good show for them today."

Vettel's third place was enough to secure the 2011 title, and Button said that although he wanted to win more races this season it was all with a thought to next year.

"Winning from the front you could say is boring, but it's something that I haven't done for a little while, so winning from second on the grid does mean a lot to me. Hopefully it's going to happen a few more times this year.

"The championship's over this year but we're going to go for wins, every race we're in, and I think if we do that we'll have a very good base for 2012. We don't want to think that far ahead, we've got to live in the moment and enjoy the moment, but there's something in there that's always looking forward to the next time you can really fight for a world championship, and it's over this year."

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