'Monster' car has Button dreaming of Silverstone success.

Byline: IAN PARKES

A "MONSTER" of a car has teed up Jenson Button for potentially the mother of all victories.

At the end of his sixth win from seven races, and his fourth in a row to equal a feat last achieved by a Briton in 1992 when Nigel Mansell was crowned champion, Button was a little emotional.

There were tears in the eyes of the 29-year-old as he spoke after a Turkish Grand Prix triumph that has helped him establish a 26-point lead in the title race over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Red Bull Racing's Mark Webber and Sebastian Vettel finished around seven seconds behind in second and third, but in effect they were light years away from Button.

It was a case of man and machine in perfect harmony around a half-empty Istanbul Otodrom such is the apathetic nature of the Turkish fans to F1, combined with high ticket prices.

Those that were here witnessed a stunning drive from Button, aided by a mistake off the line from Barrichello and one on the opening lap from polesitter Vettel that handed him the win.

What better way to head into his home grand prix at Silverstone in a fortnight when a 100,000 crowd will be roaring him on to make it seven wins from eight, and only one man has achieved that before - Michael Schumacher in 2004.

"This is the first race where the car has been absolutely perfect for me," beamed Button.

"It was immense, it really was. I have to say a massive thank you to everyone because it just keeps getting better.

"Ten to 15 laps in, I thought it was probably not a good idea, but I really wanted to radio the team and say 'This car is outrageous!' "It was tempting fate a little, so I left it until the end of the race." After crossing the line, Button was told over the pit-to-car radio he had produced an "awesome d r ive." Screaming with joy, he replied: "Thank you. You've built me a monster of a car. You guys are absolute legends." There appears no stopping Button in his Brawn, which is why he can be forgiven for being a little misty eyed after this success.

"Every race I've won this year has been pretty emotional. The old memories obviously come flooding back," added Button, with his bad times at Honda still raw.

"We thought it would be a much tougher fight today, but also when you get into the car and every single lap you drive you've a smile on your face because it's working so well, this race was that race.

"I could have carried on driving for another 200 laps because I was enjoying it so much in that car.

"It was just a very enjoyable day, a day I wanted the whole team to be on the podium with me..

"I suppose they are every race, but this one, I think it meant a lot to the team because they could see how good the whole package was." So much will now be expected of Button in a fortnight's time, and the pressure will be on to deliver and move a step closer to the title..

Button, though, is ready to repay his fans who have pulled him through all the tough times.

"I've a 26-point lead going into my home race, which is just out of this world," assessed Button.

"In previous years when the car has been difficult to drive and we haven't got results, I've been a little embarrassed because I've had so much support and not given them anything back.

"So to arrive there leading the championship, in a way it's given them something to get a hold of, sink their teeth into and enjoy.

"Going to Silverstone I'm going to be very excited and looking forward to the weekend." Button will take some stopping on this for m, and it is surely only a matter of when, not if, he becomes champion.

The only saving grace for Button's rivals is that a Brawn suffered a mechanical failure for the first time this year, with Barrichello retiring on lap 49with a gearbox problem.

Behind the Red Bull duo Toyota's Jarno Trulli was fourth, followed by Nico Rosberg in his Williams, with fifth his best performance of the year.

Felipe Massa, winner here from pole for the last three years, was sixth in his Ferrari, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica finally ending his points duck by taking seventh.

The second Toyota of Timo Glock completed the top eight, with Lewis Hamilton 13th in his pitiful McLaren, finishing 80.4 seconds adrift of Button.

However, far from despondent, Hamilton said: "It was quite an uneventful race, but I actually enjoyed myself.

"I just pushed and pushed. That's why I can smile because I think I drove to my full potential."I've a 26- point lead going into my home race, which is just out of this world JENSON BUTTON

CAPTION(S):

Brawn GP driver Jenson Button celebrates with team members at pits after the Turkish Formula One Grand Prix at the Istanbul Park racetrack in Istanbul Picture: BURHAN OZBILICI/