Jenson Button confident of no qualifying issues during 2013 season
Jenson Button believes his issues with qualifying pace will be solved for 2013 with the change in Pirelli tyre specification
The 2009 world champion has only taken one pole position in his three years at McLaren so far.
With Lewis Hamilton leaving for Mercedes and his replacement Sergio Perez also carrying a reputation for mediocre qualifying results, there have been fears that McLaren will struggle in this season's Formula 1 pole battles.
But Button is confident that the latest Pirelli tyres will end the problems he had with single-lap performance last year.
"Qualifying at times last year was not good at all," Button acknowledged. "I still go back to it being the issue that I have had in my career in terms of getting my tyres working and in the working range.
"I don't know why that is - I must drive differently to everyone else on the grid. We have learned a lot from last season and we have made steps forward.
"We also have a tyre in 2013 that does help me. It has a much wider working range so I am not fearful of those issues again.
"We start the season with a clean slate and fighting for pole position at each race and fighting for a win at each race."
Button also feels he has been able to lead McLaren's development direction towards his driving style this season.
"The feelings I got last year and the development curve and direction we went in last year is good for my style," he said.
"I had some issues through the season and the great thing with McLaren is they listen to what drivers say."
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About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Jenson Button |
| Author | Jonathan Noble |
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