By PAUL LOGOTHETIS
AP Auto Racing Writer
SAKHIR, Bahrain (AP) Jenson Button will keep a close eye on Michael Schumacher in Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix when the defending Formula One champion lines up beside the record seven-time winner at the start.
Button qualified eighth on Saturday one place behind Schumacher and the McLaren driver acknowledged he'll be wary of the German, whose Mercedes car is still difficult to evaluate.
``He's done a good job to get his car in the top 10'' after three years out, Button said.
Button didn't have a sterling debut with his new team, being more than 1.5 seconds off the pace of pole sitter Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull.
``It's a big margin .... a huge chunk. (But) I don't think we'll get the same result in the race as in qualifying,'' Button said. ``I'm a little bit surprised they went that quick. But there's still a little bit of pace to find in this car.''
Button won in Bahrain last year on his way to the title with Brawn GP, which replaced him with Schumacher after being bought out by Mercedes. Button won six of the first seven races on his way to the title in 2009.
``The good thing is there are issues we can solve for tomorrow,'' Button said. ``It's not over yet.''
Teammate Lewis Hamilton starts fourth, and team principal Martin Whitmarsh said the McLaren car was not at its best in qualifying. Ferrari pair Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso were second and third.
``It was really difficult for our guys. But no one here is going to give up on a result tomorrow,'' Whitmarsh said. ``We're not ruling anything out. But no brave predictions for tomorrow.''
Hamilton was visibly pleased a year after the British team started the season with a car that was well off the pace.
``I'm surprised. While we didn't have the pace of the faster cars, I definitely wasn't expecting to be fourth quickest,'' the 2008 champion said. ``I don't think a win is going to be on the cards but we'll be giving it the best we can.''
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