Jenson Button says he is eager to start testing the new McLaren MP4-27 car, which was unveiled yesterday.

The Frome Flyer will travel to Jerez, Spain, next week to have his first taste behind the wheel of the new car ahead of the 2012 season, which begins with the Australian Grand Prix next month.

Button was delighted with the look of the car and believes he has good reason to be optimistic about his chances of winning a second world championship title.

"I know that the whole team is extremely proud of the MP4-27," he said.

"This is a beautiful car – many of them you see will not be – and for me that's important.

"It may look like a direct evolution of last year's car, but we've analysed every area of performance over the winter and the whole car has benefited from lots of fresh thinking and new ideas in every area.

"I'm really looking forward to getting behind the wheel in Spain next week.

"I know that everyone will be watching us very closely to see what progress we make during the pre-season tests, but I genuinely believe we have every reason to feel optimistic about the progress we've made and our competitiveness this year."

Button admitted that it will be impossible to tell just how good the car is until it is put up against the other teams at the first race but, after some time off over the winter, he is keen to get going again.

"I've had a pretty good winter. I've spent a bit of time away to recharge my batteries," he said.

"I was back on January 5 and I've spent a lot of time in the simulator and getting back to the way of life of a driver. I've had time off but now I'm ready to kick on with the new season.

"It's very tough, especially when you have new regulations, to know where we stand. Even in practice on a Friday you don't know where you stand.

"The most important thing is to get the miles done in testing so you can fine tune the car, then you can arrive at the first race not worrying about anything and get everything you can out of it."