Button finds consolation in saved tyres after qualifying in fourth for Bahrain GP

The McLaren driver abandoned his final Q3 lap when it became clear the handling was not to his liking and he would not be able to improve. That left Button fourth on the grid.

"Fourth place is not all I'd hoped for, but it's always a horrible feeling on that last lap in Q3 when the balance isn't quite where you want it," he said.

"I couldn't get the best out of it and I pitted early, which isn't a bad thing.

"Less laps on all tyres, I think is a positive. And P4 is not a bad position."

Button will start behind the resurgent Red Bulls and his McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton. The 2009 champion said he felt it was good for Formula 1 to have Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber back at the front - the Red Bull duo having qualified first and third, sandwiching Hamilton.

"It makes the race a lot more fun," said Button. "I'm looking forward to the challenge tomorrow."

He added that he had been anticipating Red Bull to be a contender in Bahrain after practice, but was surprised to outqualify Chinese GP winner Nico Rosberg's Mercedes, which will start one place behind the McLaren.

"We were expecting the Red Bulls to be very quick in qualifying, and we're close to them," said Button.

"And the one surprise is that we're ahead of Nico. That's quite nice.

"It's weird, isn't it, F1 at the moment? It's exciting, but difficult to understand."