Nuerburg - Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel said Thursday that he expects a competitive battle with Jenson Button, not only in this weekend's German Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring but for the remainder of the Formula One season.

Button leads Vettel in the drivers' standings by 25 points ahead of Sunday's race but the 22-year-old German cruised to victory in the British GP in Silverstone to register his second win of the season and is seen as the only serious contender to the Brawn GP driver.

"We have a fast car but so do they. It should be a tight race until the end of the season," said Vettel ahead of his home race.

"Small things will make the difference."(dpa)