Jenson Button believes this season in Formula One will be "a belter" and that Michael Schumacher will prove he can still compete at the age of 41.

Button lifted the drivers' crown last year with Brackley-based Brawn GP, but has since joined his predecessor as world champion and fellow Briton Lewis Hamilton at McLaren. And the 30-year-old hopes that new regulations, with no refuelling during the race, and the return of seven-time champion Schumacher will bring many fans back to the sport.

"I think it will be a belter of a year this year," Button said after receiving the Laureus Breakthrough of the Year Award in Abu Dhabi. "Not for me, I think for Formula One as a whole and for all of us who love Formula One and racing in Formula One."

He added: "You've got four top teams, maybe even five or six that are going to be quick and competitive. With the new regulations we don't really know who is the quickest team.

"It's a great position to be in, I think it's great for the sport and hopefully will attract more viewers and fans.

"Michael Schumacher coming back I think is great for the sport.

"He's 41, people are saying he's too old, he's not. I'm 30, at 41 I can't imagine myself racing, I'll go and do something else, but Michael's realised I think it's difficult to find something else to do that gives you that buzz like Formula One does.

"He's back and with four world champions on the grid all in competitive cars (Button, Hamilton, Schumacher and Fernando Alonso), and new regulations, it should be a very exciting season.

"Last year was great having a couple of new teams fighting at the front but there were some negatives as well, mostly off circuit."