Button: Alonso has the edge

Jenson Button feels Fernando Alonso has a clear advantage during the title run-in now Ferrari are favouring the double world champion.

Ferrari made their intentions known during the German Grand Prix towards the end of July via the team orders controversy that saw Felipe Massa cede the win to Alonso.

After finishing runner-up in the subsequent race in Hungary and taking the chequered flag again on Ferrari's home soil of Monza just 12 days ago, Alonso is firmly in the hunt for his third title.

With Massa effectively driving as Alonso's wingman, compared to the inner battles being waged within McLaren and Red Bull, Button is wary of the threat posed by the Spaniard.

"It does help him, he has an advantage, there's no getting away from that," said Button when asked about the situation, with Alonso 21 points behind championship leader Mark Webber.

"We can't do anything about that really. We've just got to make sure we're quicker. It's about doing a better job over the weekend."

He added: "If they are quicker in qualifying then you are unlikely to finish in front of them, and Massa will obviously take some points off you should he be ahead of you.

"So yeah, he has an advantage, but hopefully he won't have a car advantage for these next few races."