Jenson Button is hoping to provide the McLaren-Honda team a much-needed boost ahead of the summer break this weekend during the Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring.
Button remembers fondly the Hungaroring, having taken his maiden Formula 1 victory in 2006, driving for Honda, and has followed that up with a win for McLaren at the venue in 2011.
“It’s going to be a nice feeling to return to the Hungaroring with Honda power behind me, having last won a race for Honda at this very track back in 2006,” said Button.
“Obviously, I have a place in my heart for this place – any driver’s first grand prix victory is a special event – but, that aside, it’s a place I’ve always enjoyed.”
Despite being caught up in the opening lap carnage at Silverstone three weeks ago and being forced to retire before the end of the first lap, Button was happy to see team-mate Fernando Alonso secure the team’s second points finish of the season, and believes the team deserved it due to the hard work they have put in to make the team more competitive as the season has gone on.
“Although my race at Silverstone was extremely disappointing, Fernando’s points finish was well deserved,” said Button. “There’s been absolutely no let-up on the technical side – having personally seen the effort that’s been going on at MTC, and heard about the work that’s being done at Sakura, I know we’re slowly but surely getting there.
“Of course, that’s difficult to substantiate without decent results, but let’s hope we can go into the summer break feeling confident about the second half of the season.”
