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Raise Your Game: What kind of skills do you need to get to this level?

Jenson Button: It takes a lot of hard work to become a Formula 1 driver. You obviously need natural ability, but you need to be able to build on it because natural ability can only get you so far. You have to work hard on honing your driving techniques.

You also need to be an engineer because we work very closely with our engineers. You need the right fitness levels, and you need to realise it's your life. Motor racing is my life at the moment. I won't be going back to reality until I've finished my career in motor racing.

RYG: What makes a really special team?

JB: I need people that give 100% through the good times and the bad. That's when you really notice how strong a team is - when times are tough. You need to fight through that and build yourselves back up to be competitive again. If things aren't going well, we need to be positive that we can produce a good car and be fighting at the front again.

If the drivers give 100% the team see that and they work in the same way. If one person isn't pulling their weight, you're never going to be a world class team.

RYG: What's the difference between a good and a great racing driver?

JB: It comes down to dedication and understanding that you can always be better. This weekend I'll be better than last weekend. I've gained that little bit more experience of racing. You gain something from every race.

It's about realising that you're never perfect, you're always going to be learning. I also think part of it is about realising your mistakes and owning up to them. A lot of people aren't very good at that.

RYG: What have been the highlights of your career so far?

JB: Before 2008 the highlight was winning in Hungary as it was my only Grand Prix win. I don't think I'd been in a car that's been worthy of challenging for wins before then. I was in a fantastic team and when we won that race we were the best team on that day. As a team we did a great race, and we had a great strategy, but we didn't have the best car. That race stands out.

In Brazil in 2007, I started 14th and finished 3rd. There are many races that I've loved and some that I've been very disappointed with.

It's not only the races where we've finished outside the points that I'm disappointed about - sometimes we get points, which is positive, but I didn't think that we got the best out of the car, so that's a disappointing weekend.

RYG: And if there are lowlights, how do you deal with them?

JB: I'm pretty used to them (laughs). In every driver's career there will be lows. 2008 was definitely a low for us. I'd scored two points that season. I never thought that would happen in my F1 career, but my team mate scored no points and the guy won nine races.

The first few races were the toughest three races of my life. Jumping in a car that's not quick and finishing 16th is just not what I'm about. I'm not here to make up the numbers, I'm here to challenge for wins, and it's the only reason I'm racing. With a lot of help from family and close friends I was able to get through that - but it was tough at the time. I class the team as family as well and they've been fantastic - very supportive of me, as I have been of them.

RYG: I'm guessing there are a few perks to having a job like this?

JB: I'm not going to lie, it's a great job to have. It's everyone's childhood dream to be either a footballer or an F1 driver, so I'm very lucky to be in this position.

For me the perks mean nothing because I came into F1 wanting to be the best, and wanting to race against the best. I've had that since I was 8-years-old, and that's all I've ever thought about. That doesn't change just because you get older. I still love racing and I still want to beat everyone else and stand on top of the podium. That doesn't change and that's what I'm here to do.

RYG: Who are your sporting heroes?

JB: Everyone that has achieved in sport deserves massive credit, because I know how hard it is and how much effort you have to put in. It's not just about the training - it's a different way of life. I don't really have a home. I live in Monaco, but I'm travelling all the time. I live in a camper van (laughs).

Lance Armstrong stands out to me, and I've been lucky enough to meet him a couple of times. He's been through a lot in his life and he's achieved so much in sport. He really puts in the effort. When everyone else is having their Christmas lunch he's out there training.

RYG: Can the life of a Formula 1 driver be a lonely one?

JB: I wouldn't say I'm lonely that often. I've got a fantastic girlfriend who I'm madly in love with. She's with me a lot of the time. My mum stays with me in Monaco quite a lot. She travels around to see the family and my dad lives down there as well. I wouldn't say I'm lonely but it's a very different life to what I thought I would have at 14-years-old. I don't see my friends in the UK very often.

One of my sisters I haven't seen for about four or five months - I don't like that. We're a very close family and it's a pity that we don't see each other very often.

RYG: What advice would you give to someone that wants to be the next Jenson Button?

JB: Follow your dream. You have to be 7 to 8-years-old when you start these days. It's when you really get your experience and you learn race-craft. You're fearless at 8-years-old, it's the only way to learn.