His input, guidance and direction are going to make a big difference Jenson Button (right) on Ross brawn

Button had warned Honda he would not accept another season of mediocrity and demanded that the the UK-based team made significant improvements.

But the appointment of the former Ferrari technical director has restored Button's enthusiasm.

"I am very happy, and I think this is what the team needs. The guy has so much experience in F1," he said.

Brawn spent 10 years at Ferrari, guiding the Italian giants to six consecutive constructors' championships between 1999 and 2004, but quit his position at the end of the 2006 season to take a 12-month sabbatical.

606: DEBATE Ross Brawn's appointment is going to make little difference to the team fortunes if the team's attitude does not change GB

But Brawn, who spent the time travelling around the world, admitted he missed the buzz of racing and found the challenge of rejuvenating Honda was too tempting to turn down.

"One man does not turn around the whole team, but his input, his guidance and direction are going to make a big difference," said Button.

"He has done it all before, and I am really looking forward to working with him."

Honda produced one of the most uncompetitive cars on the grid last season, with Button managing only six points and the veteran former Ferrari driver Rubens Barrichello failing to score any at all.

That was despite Button giving the team their first win of the modern era in Hungary in 2006.

Next year's Honda car has already been designed, and Brawn will be focusing his initial efforts on reorganising the team to ensure it is competitive in 2009.