Jenson Button believes McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team are off the pace this weekend, after qualifying in seventeenth position for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Briton didn’t progress into Q2 of Qualifying on Saturday, after failing to find a satisfactory balance with his MP4-31. With Button unhappy with his pace, the team will be analysing the data overnight, in a bid to resolve any outstanding issues before Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Button finished the opening day of practice in tenth, but failed to continue this progress into qualifying, and he confirmed that there was definitely something not right with the car that has felt off since Saturday morning.
“The car was really well balanced yesterday,” said Button. “I was 10th quickest in FP2; today, it was a completely different car.
“There’s definitely something not right – there’s no reason why the car should feel like it does; but it’s been like that since this morning. We’re off the pace and it’s frustrating.
“When the conditions are cooler, you tend to pick up a little more rear grip and stability, and in high-speed the car is so on the nose. Then you destroy the rear tyres for the low-speed corners; you don’t have the grip because the tyres are damaged. Still, it’s done now, and tomorrow’s another day…”
