Indian GP: Lewis Hamilton fears Red Bull may be out of reach

Both men admitted that Red Bull is an overwhelming favourite going into qualifying at Buddh, where Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber ended Friday practice first and second.

The McLaren pair were 0.9 seconds adrift in sixth and seventh.

"I'm hoping that the Red Bulls are continuing to try and improve their qualifying runs and are on lighter fuel," Hamilton said.

"If they're not, then we're in trouble. But I hope they are."

Button believes tyre issues are the main reason why McLaren is lacking one-lap pace.

"We are struggling with grip and there's a lot of tyre shuddering front to rear," he said.

"Even if you're pushing hard, you still get it. It's difficult, it's tricky, you're on a knife edge.

"I don't think we're going to claw back the qualifying pace, but race pace is possible."

Although a gearbox issue curtailed Button's attempt at a longer run after just two laps, Hamilton was very optimistic about McLaren's race pace.

"Red Bull, Ferrari and Lotus are the strongest, but I think we're right in there with them," he said. "We're easily in that pack.

"I had quite a good long run and the tyres were still going, so I hope that continues."