HOTSHOT rookie Jenson Button has the potential to become the new star of Formula One according to BOSS champion Tony Worswick.

The precocious youngster makes his eagerly awaited debut for Williams at Albert Park in Australia on Sunday.

And after seeing the young Brit make lightning progress through the junior ranks, Blackburn-based Worswick is tipping him to make a big impact on the F1 circuit.

"I've watched Jenson since his karting days and he's a phenomenal talent," said Worswick.

"His record in the lower formulas is unbelievable.

"When he was 10, for instance, he went through a season winning every single round and no matter what he does, no-one can take that kind of record away from him.

"I know it's massive step up to Formula One and a lot of people are questioning whether or not he can make it.

"But I definitely think he's got something special and I think he has what it takes to adapt."

All eyes will be on Jensen and his team-mate Ralf Schumacher as Williams look to develop their new BMW engine following a disappointing season last year.

But Worswick - who won the British Open Single Seater championship in Rubens Barichello's 1994 Jordan last year - believes McLaren and Ferrari will once again be the main title contenders, with Jordan as possible outsiders.

"You can't really say much against McLaren. "Their car will be great again and they've got two brilliant drivers in Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard," said Worswick.

"So providing they avoid the kind of cock ups they had last year, they are going to take some stopping.

"But you can't rule out Michael Schumacher and Ferrari.

"They seem to be better prepared than they were at the start of last season so they should be ready to challenge from the off.

"Jordan also seem to be getting stronger and stronger and I have a feeling it could be their year.

"But, whatever happens, it promises to be the most exciting season for a while because there's so many new teams around."

Of the remaining contenders, Worswick has identified the newly-named Jaguar Ford team as the best of the rest.

"It might be a new name but, essentially, it's the Stewart car from last year," said Worswick.

"They were going really well towards the end of last season and I've every reason to think they will be strong again. "The arrival of Eddie Irvine will be a big help.

"Johnny Herbert needs to start producing the goods, though, because he's had so many chances in the past but always seems to blow it.

"Some people say he's been unlucky but there's got to be more to it than that."

Last season, it was Irvine who drove a Ferrari to victory in Australia.

And Worswick believes the speedy Albert Park circuit will again be suited to the Italians this time around.

"I rate Michael Schumacher as the best driver in the world and I think he is in a car that can do the job," said Worswick.

"So I expect him to get off to the kind of flying start which could then set him up for the rest of the season.

"But the beauty of the first round is that nobody can really predict how it's going to pan out."

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