Coulthard casts doubt over Button

David Coulthard fears the unthinkable for Jenson Button is not beyond the realms of possibility.

Button requires just six points from the final two races in Brazil this weekend and Abu Dhabi on 1 November to be crowned Formula One world champion.

The 29-year-old holds a 14-point cushion over Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello, with Red Bull Racing's Sebastian Vettel two points further adrift.

Lewis Hamilton knows all too painfully how to lose a title from such a position of strength, as he did two years ago when he was 17 points clear of Kimi Raikkonen with two races remaining.

It is the kind of fact Button has been forced to push to the back of his mind over the past few weeks as he has stumbled towards the finish line.

Coulthard, a winner of 13 Grands Prix during his career, said: ‘In Brazil, I'll put my money on Rubens.

‘It's his home track, he's even had a Stewart Grand Prix car near the front there (in qualifying). I'd be amazed if he doesn't ace it there.

‘But you have to imagine Jenson will hold on and get across the line, although if he bins it in Brazil and Rubens were to win, he'd be down to a four-point gap.

‘It would be terrible to imagine him losing it after leading all season, but he could.’

Despite Vettel being in the mix after his win in Japan 10 days ago, Coulthard feels the Brawns may have the edge over his old team at the last two races.

The Scot, who sampled the new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi first hand last week by driving a two-seater F1 car, is in a position to offer his feedback to Red Bull.

However, Coulthard added: ‘If it goes to the wire you would have to say Brawn possibly have more of an advantage than a Red Bull.

‘But Red Bull had a development for Singapore. Had Sebastian not had the pit lane speeding fine - where he didn't speed it was to do with the line he took through the corner - he would have won.

‘Lewis won it fair and square on the day, but he didn't have the quickest car.

‘As for Brazil, I see that being more a Brawn type circuit than for Red Bull, but it has been so close this year, it's really difficult to tell.’

Coulthard at least believes Button would be a distinctive world champion should he finally inherit Hamilton's crown.

‘For the sport Jenson would be a better champion because he is younger, better looking - it's the whole image thing, and I think the sport needs good ambassadors,’ assessed the Scot.

Button, though, is far from home and dry yet as one podium finish in the last eight races testifies, and he is fully aware of the task at hand.

‘It's an important race for me and for the team in terms of the championships,’ said Button, with Brawn just needing a point to take the constructors' title.

‘We will be working hard to get the best results possible from the weekend, so it's going to be a challenge, but one we are all looking forward to.’

Although on home turf and knowing he will have the support of over 100,000 Brazilians, Interlagos has not been too kind to the 37-year-old Barrichello.

In 16 previous races at the circuit Barrichello has retired on 11 occasions, with his highest finish that of third in 2004.

The Sao Paulo native effectively needs a win on Sunday to take the title race to the wire, and it will not be for the want of trying.

‘The Brazilian Grand Prix is always a special weekend for me and I am very proud of my home race,’ remarked Barrichello.

‘I will be giving it my all to achieve the best possible result and hope the fans enjoy a fantastic weekend of racing.’