Frome flyer Jenson Button intends to enjoy racing as the reigning world champion when the Formula 1 season gets under way this weekend.

The 30-year-old won the title with Brawn GP last season but is now racing alongside fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton at McLaren, where he says he and the team have been working hard to prepare for the season.

The 2010 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Button won last year to make it three wins from the first four races.

"I'm really looking forward to getting into my car on Friday morning in Bahrain and knowing that I'm the world champion," said Button, who last night won the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year award.

"It's a responsibility and an honour – but it's something I'm going to enjoy for as long as I can. I don't want to lose that number from my car.

"My winter has been an incredible learning experience – joining Vodafone McLaren Mercedes has provided me with exactly the sort of challenge I needed.

"I have put every effort into working with the team, my engineers and learning about my car to ensure that we start the season in Bahrain in the best possible shape.

"I've never known a team work as hard as we have done over the winter – I've spent more time with my engineers this winter than I have before any other season, and I feel very comfortable about my preparations."

Despite four weeks of testing, Button believes it is difficult to predict who the main contenders will be.

"Even after four weeks of testing, it's incredibly difficult to predict the order ahead of the new season," he said.

"There are a number of teams and drivers who appear to be in the hunt, and, as with the start of every new season, it will be fascinating to see who emerges as the team to beat."

Qualifying for the Bahrain Grand Prix beings at 11am GMT on Saturday, with the race getting under way at noon.

Meanwhile, McLaren believe that the rear wing on their MP4025 car will be declared legal by the FIA.

Red Bull have sought clarification on a slot on the rear wing which reduces drag and increases straight-line speed.

"There's nothing untoward about it, we're quite confident the car is legal," said McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale.

The FIA will examine the wing ahead of practice for the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Although Neale is confident the wing is legal, he admitted that they have a contingency plan.

"We're not taking a radically different package but you just never know what the stewards are going to do on the day," he said.

"So we have a contingency, but I wouldn't put much effort into it and I'm not expecting it to be used."