Jenson Button is tipping Ferrari's Michael Schumacher to win the remaining three races of the season and walk away from Formula One as an eight-time world champion.

"I think the Ferrari is very strong," the Briton, a first-time winner for Honda in Hungary last August, said at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai yesterday.

"These three circuits are the sort that might suit them well, and if Bridgestone have got their act together they will be very quick. There is a very good chance that he (Schuma-cher) could win three in a row.

"This isn't his favorite circuit, looking at past races, but he's quick in Suzuka (Japan) and Brazil and I think the car will work well at those two and also here," added Button.

If his prediction proves correct, the Briton would be Mich-elin's last race winner before the French tire manufacturer departs the sport and leaves Ferrari's partner Bridgestone as sole supplier in 2007.

Ferrari is three points clear of Renault in the constructors' standings.

Button, who finished second in Shanghai in 2004 and eighth last year, hoped also that he could play a part in deciding the championship outcome.

"It's a fun circuit and we've just got to see how quick we are. What our pace is like here will determine our pace for the last two races," he said.

"Hopefully, we are going to get in the way (of the title contenders). I'm not going to purposefully get in the way of the championship but we want to get the best results we can."