Jenson Button is confident he will survive the axe should Honda succeed in luring Fernando Alonso to the team.

Honda boss Ross Brawn has made no secret of his admiration for the double world champion who is currently enduring a lean time on his return to Renault this season.

Alonso has also made clear his dissatisfaction with regard to the team's lack of progress, with the Spanish star a lowly eighth in the drivers' standings with just 18 points.

That has led to the 27-year-old being consistently linked with Ferrari, but with Kimi Raikkonen seemingly set to see out his contract, it is unlikely a vacancy will now arise until 2010 at the earliest.

That leaves Alonso with few options open to him for next season if he decides to walk away, with Honda seemingly the frontrunners.

The Japanese manufacturing giants are one of the very few teams who could afford to pay his salary, currently reputed to be US$24 million per year.

Should Honda tempt him, if only for a season, that would leave one race seat available for either Button or Rubens Barrichello.

Although the 36-year-old Brazilian is out-performing the Briton of late, an unruffled Button said: "I'm not worried about myself.

"In a way it's good the team are talking to someone like Alonso who has a lot of experience, and with good teams.

"They are going to talk to other drivers, that's only natural, but I'm very happy with my position within the team.

"Admittedly Rubens is fantastic, he has done a great job, and he gives excellent feedback, probably better than any other driver out there.

"So whatever the team's decision is, and if they are talking to Fernando, then it will be a very difficult decision for the team to make.

"Although you're never certain, as I've said, I'm very positive.

"It's just not something I'm sitting down and worrying about at the moment, and it's not something I do need to worry about."

Button concedes prior to Barrichello's appointment he was consulted by the team - but on this occasion he has yet to be approached with regard to Alonso.

"They are obviously interested in your opinion because they want the best they can get, which is only natural," added Button.

"If they are in serious talks with Fernando then I would expect to be approached. They haven't yet, but there is a lot of time.

"If they are talking to him then I would say he doesn't have a lot of choices for next year, not if he wants to be with a competitive team.

"People are saying he doesn't want a one-year contract either, but I've really no idea what's going on. I haven't asked, and it's not really top of my agenda."

If push does come to shove and Barrichello is ousted, Button would appreciably feel sorry for his team-mate.

"He has done a really good job here, this year especially because he has put in some great performances," insisted Button.

"I think everyone would be gutted if that was the case, no one more than Rubens himself.

"As his team-mate he has been a great one to have, and hopefully that will continue.

"He is still very dedicated to improving the car, and as he says and Ross as well, he is driving his best. He is doing a good job."

Alonso, though, has today denied conducting any talks with Honda, however his comments were made with team boss Flavio Briatore sat alongside him, so it was hardly the ideal environment.

Nevertheless, he said: "There's been nothing at all.

"As I've said before, the end of the season will be the time to think about next year.

"Now, I'm not talking to anyone. I'm fully concentrated on the championship, and it would be a mistake to think about next year."

Alonso and Button at least enjoyed a good day on the new Valencia circuit, finishing second and third quickest behind Raikkonen at the end of the two 90-minute practice sessions.

The reigning world champion posted a lap of one minute 39.477 seconds, knocking Alonso into second place by just 0.020secs.

Behind Button came Raikkonen's Ferrari team-mate Felipe Massa, with current championship leader Lewis Hamilton fifth in his McLaren.