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Britain's Jenson Button on Friday played down Fernando Alonso's view that former seven-times champion Michael Schumacher could race his way back into title contention this season.
After ending his three-year hiatus to return to racing with Mercedes GP last season, Schumacher could finish only ninth in the drivers' championship in 2010.
Schumacher was ninth fastest in testing in Valencia, Spain last Thursday and Alonso, the world champion in 2005 and 2006, has backed the German to become one of the pacesetters when the 2011 season begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 13.
Although Schumacher's Mercedes team boss Ross Brawn has said he expects the German veteran to be better this season, Button says it is just too early to tell.
"I don't think it is possible to judge how Michael Schumacher will race in 2011," said the 31-year-old. "No one expected what happened (to him) in 2010. "Fernando saying Michael Schumacher is his main rival this season, maybe he does think that, or maybe he is trying to make a point, who knows? "There are going to be five champions racing this season and I wouldn't like to pick out who will be the winner this season." Having won the world title in 2009, Button and his Mercedes McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton, the 2008 champion, are making final preparations in their bid to beat last season's winner, Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.
Along with Hamilton, Button was at Berlin's Potsdamer Platz for the launch of McLaren-Mercedes's new MP4-26 car.
Both drivers looked fit and sharp as they aim to build on improving last year's standings of fourth for Hamilton and fifth for Button in the WDC.
"We're not here to finish second this season," insisted Button.
"Someone asked me today what our aims are for the season and I think it is fairly obvious."
Hamilton said he had spent the winter training hard and was looking forward to testing the new car in Jerez next week.
"I head into 2011 in a relaxed but determined frame of mind," he said.
"I've spared nothing during my winter fitness preparations and, in many ways, I feel as fit, focused and refreshed as I did ahead of my first season in Formula 1 in 2007."
Looking radically different from last year's model, the MP4-26 features a range of aerodynamic features designed to take advantage of new F1 rules.
Beneath the skin, the car houses a new electric hybrid system and a Mercedes-Benz FO 108Y engine with a capacity of 2.4 litres as the team looks to build on last season's five Grand Prix victories.
McLaren finished second to Red Bull in the constructor's competition.
There are several new changes for all the drivers to get used to this season.
Following Bridgestone's recent decision to withdraw their tyres after 13 years in the sport, each team will use Pirelli tyres.
There are more buttons on the steering wheel, partly because of the new electronically adjustable rear-wing system to make it easier for drivers to overtake.
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