Button in positive mood for Monza; MOTOR RACING.

JENSON BUTTON is adamant he is "feeling positive" despite claims from others that he is a man under pressure.

Button's early-season charge towards Formula One world title glory has faltered alarmingly over the last five grands prix, in which he has taken just 11 points.

Throughout the slump, though, none of his championship rivals has been able to make significant inroads into his lead - which is still a healthy 16 points to Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

Yet Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner, whose drivers in Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber are 19 and 20.5 points adrift, insisted after the last race in Belgium Button would ultimately be punished for his poor run.

Now Felipe Massa has waded into the debate by stating Button will throw away the title unless he starts to handle the pressure.

Button is convinced this weekend's Italian Grand Prix will be a different story, at a Monza circuit he feels will play to the strengths of his car.

"Monza is a fantastic track, and I love the passion that the Italian fans bring to the race weekend," he said.

"It's a circuit that should be reasonably good for our car if we get the handling right over the kerbs, so we're feeling positive."

CAPTION(S):

UPBEAT: Jenson Button is looking forward to a return to form in the Italian Grand Prix in Monza this weekend