MIND GAMES WON'T STOP ME

JENSON BUTTON refuses to bow to his growing band of Formula One critics, and insists: "I don't need a mind guru."

The British ace has rubbished claims from several high-profile Formula One figures that he is cracking under the pressure of the title fight.

Button finished sixth fastest in qualifying for today's Italian Grand Prix at Monza as fellow Brit Lewis Hamilton roared to his second pole of the season.

The Brawn GP racer was just fractions behind team-mate Rubens Barrichello who he leads by 16 points in the Driver's Championship. But he was ahead of Red Bull rivals Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber who were ninth and 10th.

Stubborn

Button, 28, said: "I think some drivers might have a mind guru, but I don't.

"I don't know what anyone could possibly say that's going to help me.

"I'll say, 'I've been here for 10 years, you haven't. So what can you help me with'.

"I am pretty open minded with many things, but there are certain things I am pretty stubborn about. When it comes to that sort of thing I am pretty stubborn.

Happy

"Mind management? I know what's going on in my head. You don't. So why should I listen you? It wouldn't work for me. I think Rubens had someone, but since he got rid of him he's gone quicker!

"And as my old man, John, just says 'Go and kick some a***!'

"I'm happy with qualifying. Rubens is ahead but it is just a blink of an eye and I am ahead of the Red Bulls."

Button has not finished on the podium since bagging his sixth win in the first seven races in Turkey last June. The Frome flier has seen his lead whittled away since, with Vettel and Webber just 19 and 20.5 points further back.

Position

Button added: "Nothing has changed from the first race. It's a great position to be in. I'm better placed than anyone on the grid. That's the way it's going to stay

"I'm not here to worry about what people write. When things were going well, I didn't take the papers and say, 'Look how good I am.' It's about me focusing on the important part of the job."

Button believes this should not be his only crack at title glory, and added: "Hopefully it's not. I've said before you have to take these opportunities as it might not happen again. You know that in the back of your mind, and don't need people telling you.

"Hopefully, in years to come I will be in a similar position. I know I have to get the best out of the car.

Backed

"But that's what I have wanted to do since I was eight years old. It's not a shock to the system. It's not my title to lose, it's my title to win and as soon as possible."

Button has been backed to clinch the title by champ Hamilton, who was all smiles after clinching pole yesterday. The McLaren racer missed out in 2007 despite leading by 17 points with two races to go. But he was crowned last year after a nail-biting final race in Brazil.

Hamilton 24, said: "It is easy to forget that Jenson has won six races this year. It is not easy to win six races.

"He has still done the job and he is still 16 points ahead so I don't think he should be sweating at all. He has got five races to do it. He has got plenty of time."

Hamilton will be hoping to add to his July win in Hungary after bagging the 15th pole of his career just ahead of F1 pal Adrian Sutil in his charging Force India.

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