Jenson Button insists no quarter will be given between himself and Lewis Hamilton should they again go wheel to wheel this season.

The McLaren duo were embroiled in a private duel for the lead of the Turkish Grand Prix a fortnight ago, fortunately avoiding any incident, unlike their rivals at Red Bull a few laps earlier.

It naturally sent the pulse rates of their team bosses soaring for a few anxious moments as Button snatched first place from Hamilton, only to lose it again soon after as they came within inches of touching.

But with no team orders, and with both drivers free to race, Button has made it clear if a similar situation materialises they will both be going for it.

"We had a good battle, and I completely believe that when I came up behind Lewis at the exit of Turn Eight he knew I was closing on him and he understood I was going to try and pass him," said Button on what occurred in Turkey.

"We were wheel to wheel, and it was a fun battle to have with your team-mate that you have a lot of respect for.

"It will be exactly the same here. If we both have a good weekend, we will work in the same way.

"When you're both doing a good job you qualify very close to each other because you're in the same car, so you are going to have wheel-to-wheel action, and I think it's great to see."

Asked if it was more difficult to race against a team-mate in such a situation, Button replied: "I don't think it is.

"You race for yourself initially, and then you race for your team, so it doesn't change anything that you are racing your team-mate, and it shouldn't.

"It's just if you crash with your team-mate there is a bigger issue after the race, as we've seen."

Button finished 11th quickest in practice yesterday on a track he has described as "scary" as the softer tyres were disintegrating in a matter of laps around the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who was seventh fastest behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel, also claimed the surface was "like an ice rink".

"The tyres aren't lasting very long," said reigning world champion Button.

"I also lost grip in the afternoon (session) when there was a lot more rubber down, so we've a few tyre issues, but I think everybody is struggling with the same problems.

"It's pretty scary because you are never really sure how much grip you are going to get at the rear when the tyre is graining.

"The speed difference between the tyres - primes (harder tyre) and options - was massive as well.

"I'm sure the circuit's going to improve a little, but not enough to not have problems on these tyres.

"So it's going to be a different race, and we'll have to see what happens with strategies."

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