Jenson Button: No timeframe for McLaren-Honda Formula 1 progress

After 12 races with new engine supplier Honda the team continues to struggle towards the rear of the field, particularly as seen recently at power circuits such as Spa-Francorchamps and Monza.

It appears inevitable McLaren will end up with an unwanted team worst as it is now 50 races without a win stretching back to Brazil 2012, with the nadir the 53 races without success from Japan 1977 to the 1981 British GP.

Asked when the tide might turn, Button replied: "Can I see light? Yeah, I can see it's going to improve, but none of us know right now how quickly.

"We hope it does happen quickly, and I know everyone is working flat out at Honda and Woking for that to happen.

"We've probably had more parts on this car - aerodynamic and mechanical parts - than I've ever had in my Formula 1 career, and this is with the limitations on aerodynamics given the regulations.

"So, as I say, everyone is working flat out, but you still don't know when you are going to turn a corner and start winning. That's a question none of us can answer right now."

Despite the welter of engines and ancillary systems associated with the power unit used by Honda this year, and the heavy criticism being aimed at motorsport boss Yasuhisa Arai, Button insists he still has faith in the Japanese manufacturer.

"If we had [lost faith] then we wouldn't be here discussing it," said Button.

"If we don't like something we talk with Arai-san, the engineers at Honda, and if we don't like something with the car we talk to Eric [Boullier], the engineers and aerodynamicists within the team.

"We've all been working very hard this year, in very difficult circumstances, but we're at the pinnacle of motorsport and under the spotlight

"I do feel we've had some good meetings this year, understanding what we've done, what's improved, what hasn't worked, the direction of everything.

"You want things to happen tomorrow, but it's never the case in such a competitive sport."

Attempting to put things into perspective, and explaining the progress made, Button remarked: "If you look back to the beginning of the season in testing we were struggling to do two-lap runs, or even to get out of the garage.

"So we have come a hell of a long way, but from a racing driver's point of view you always want more and for things to happen quicker.

"Formula 1 is such a competitive sport and so complex with the power unit, also with the aerodynamics, and we are so limited with what we can do, what we can change that to make a difference a during a season is so difficult."