MCLAREN MEANS BUSINESS

There is a fevered interest in all things McLaren throughout the 'home of motor sport in the Middle East' - particularly as the company is one-third owned by the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat.

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh told fans this week: "Make no mistake - we're a team of racers. We've been waiting impatiently for the first race to arrive for many months.

"We feel we've risen to the challenge and we can't wait to get started - Bahrain is a demanding track for both the team and the drivers and we're looking forward enormously to racing in the home of one of our primary shareholders. It promises to be a fantastic grand prix."

Last year's F1 champion Jenson Button, who first tested a McLaren in 1999 as a prize for winning a young driver award, made his race debut with Williams as a 20-year-old in 2000.

After a shining start, his star began to wane. Moving to Benetton and then Renault, he picked up an undeserved reputation for being a playboy more interested in the trappings of success than achievement itself.

Ditched in 2002, he moved to BAR/Honda where he finally became a lucky winner in 2006 after 113 starts. When Honda pulled out in 2008, Button's career appeared to have hit the buffers - only to be revived in sensational fashion by the team that emerged from the ashes.

He has matured over the years but the talent is the same. Button, who has been a high-profile ambassador for the Durrat Al Bahrain development in the past, could have earned more by staying within his comfort zone at Brawn, now Mercedes, even if they were in no hurry to conclude a deal before quickly signing up Michael Schumacher as a replacement. Instead, he opted for a different adventure.

Button said: "I wanted a new challenge ... I wanted to race with McLaren, whom I first actually drove for. It was my first Formula One car and a team that I used to watch when I was a kid. And, the history, and what they have achieved in their time in the sport, is immense."

Button's new adventure begins in Bahrain where he tasted the sweetness of victory last season and a podium finish when the first race was staged seven years ago.

As for Hamilton, whatever happens in the weekend's Formula One season-opener in Bahrain, he expects to keep on smiling.

Re-united with his girlfriend, pop singer Nicole Scherzinger, and with a McLaren that has looked quick in testing after a difficult 2009 season, the 25-year-old former champion says he is 'happier' than ever.

"Now, though, it's all about the racing - once I put my crash helmet on and pull the visor down, I know more than anything that I'm ready to go racing," he added.