Chinese GP: Jenson Button not interested in McLaren making Q2 or Q3

Button ended Friday practice with the 10th-fastest time, 2.056 seconds shy of Lewis Hamilton's best in the afternoon session.

However, while that makes McLaren a likely candidate to make Q2 for the first time in 2015, or potentially even Q3, Button says it wouldn't be cause for celebration.

When asked about the chances of making Q3, Button said: "There's always a possibility, but I think Q2 is more realistic.

"To be fair, Q2 or Q3 doesn't really excite me either way; you want to be at the front.

"It's more about what we achieve in terms of steps forward with the car and also the feeling of the car.

"The feeling's good, but there's still room for improvement."

The 2009 world champion, who qualified 17th for both the Australian and Malaysian grands prix, was pleased with his single-lap pace, but he will review a set-up that hampered his long runs.

"I've tried something with the set-up to look after the front tyres but I think I've hurt the rears too much, so I've got to go in a different direction," Button said.

"The one-lap pace is a definite improvement. I think the most important thing is that there's a reasonably good feeling with the car and that gives you confidence."

ALONSO SETS Q2 TARGET

Team-mate Fernando Alonso confirmed his sights are set on Q2 after taking 17th and 12th on a "very positive Friday".

"I think we need to have our feet on the ground and understand tomorrow in qualifying," he said.

"Others put extra power [on for qualifying], we saw in Australia and Malaysia, [so] I don't think Q3 is possible, but definitely Q2 is the goal for tomorrow.

"And finishing the race even close to the points is the goal."