Button hopes McLaren is not too far off the pace of leading teams

McLaren has endured difficult weekends in Valencia and Silverstone, with both drivers and team management all but admitting that their title hopes are over for the year.

However, that has not stopped the team setting its sights on star performances in individual races - with Button hoping the Nurburgring will help provide a good opportunity.

"Perhaps we've lost a bit of the momentum we'd built up in previous races, but not much," he said. "Although Silverstone was disappointing, our pace has been good this year. Sometimes we've been quickest, sometimes we haven't."

Team principal Martin Whitmarsh is happy that the ban on the off-throttle use of blown diffusers has been lifted, as it hurt the outfit's performance at Silverstone, as he eyes a step forward in form this time out.

"There has been a degree of uncertainty in recent weeks, with new restrictions placed on off-throttle exhaust blowing, and our entire team has demonstrated enormous passion and commitment as they come to terms with those challenges," explained Whitmarsh.

"We missed an opportunity for a podium finish at Silverstone, and that race was a reminder that while we are always pushing to make our car even more competitive, our rivals are doing likewise with their own machinery.