Abu Dhabi GP: Jenson Button puzzled by McLaren's loss of pace
Jenson Button was unable to explain his McLaren's lack of performance after slumping to 13th in Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying
The Briton was comfortably in the top 10 in each of the three practice sessions but struggled in qualifying and was four tenths slower than team-mate Sergio Perez in Q2.
Button could not pinpoint the source of his problems but believes a combination of the change in temperature for the evening qualifying session, and the McLaren's lack of downforce, played a part.
"I'm very puzzled," he said. "It's frustrating, this morning it was working really well and I've been happy with the car all weekend.
"I don't know if it's the temperature but I struggled to get the tyres working. You wouldn't believe how hard I worked the tyres at the start of the lap but it's not enough.
"It's completely different to what I've experienced all weekend. Everything was a challenge today."
After Perez's strong run to fifth in last weekend's Indian Grand Prix, McLaren had hoped the pair's strong practice pace was a sign of further progress with its troubled 2013 car.
But Button believes the extreme set-up adopted this weekend - an aggressive rear wing setting that has the McLarens among the quickest through the speed traps - is a consequence of the car's limitations and will only restrict its performance in the remaining races.
"We were maxed out on the front wing, there isn't anything else we can do to the car to help out with the front end," he added.
"So I don't know. We're very limited with what we can do with set-up. It's tough and it's going to be like this in the next couple of races."
Previous article
Abu Dhabi GP: Toro Rosso qualifying quotes
Next article
Abu Dhabi GP: Mercedes qualifying quotes
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Jenson Button |
| Teams | McLaren |
| Author | Scott Mitchell |
What Mercedes must do to keep its F1 title challenge on track
Mercedes may find itself leading the drivers' and constructors' standings after Lewis Hamilton's victory in the Bahrain Grand Prix, but it is well-aware that it came against the odds, with Red Bull clearly ahead on pace. Here's what the Brackley team must do to avoid its crown slipping
Why Tsunoda can become Japan’s greatest F1 talent
While Japan's fever for motor racing is well-documented, the country has yet to produce a Formula 1 superstar – but that could be about to change, says BEN EDWARDS
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
