While catching up with Jenson earlier today, it became immediately apparent that the 2009 Formula One World Champion is raring to go, and get his first taste of the Circuit de la Sarthe following his first test with SMP Racing at Magny Cours last month.

“It’s like this with all big events,” he said. “The build up is so long and you just want to get in the car. But it’s all neccesary.”

Button, who is of course racing in sportscars outside of his FIA WEC programme in the Super GT Championship (and is currently leading the points standings), says that in the transition between GT500 and LMP1, the biggest challenge so far has come in the pits.

“We’ve been doing lots of driver changes, it’s much faster now with refulling and tyre changes being at the same time.

“Super GT pit stops are much easier, because it’s like a DTM car. You have to jump over the carbon fibre moncoque, but it’s easier to get in, and you have more time. With this, you have to be quick, one slip up and you can lose time. It’s tough, it’s been good to get practice in.”

Tomorrow’s running will of course be an important one for Button behind the wheel of the #11 BR1 AER, the Britain yet to drive on the full Le Mans circuit. Despite his credentials, as a rookie, he still has to complete his 10 mandatory laps to be eligable to drive during race week.

Once that’s done, the focus will shift to the race proper, where he says, he will still be pushing for the win, regardless of the (expected) divide between the hybrid and non-hybrid cars in the class as a result of the EoT.

You could say this is Toyota’s race to lose

“Obviously our aim is to challenge for the win, that’s always the aim. But it is very tough, you could say this is Toyota’s race to lose. It’s a shame, but it’s a 24-hour race, and you never know what’s going to happen,” he said.

“There should be good competition from the privateers though, the Rebellion R-13 looks reasonably competitive, but it’s hard to know as it’s a very different circuit to Spa. We should have a good race, and who knows how far we will be off Toyota.

“It’s such a different experience and different circuit to anywhere else.”