Eric Boullier is looking for his McLaren Honda Formula 1 Team to secure a double points finish in the season ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday after seeing Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button qualify ninth and twelfth respectively.
The Racing Director of the Woking-based team felt both drivers performed well during the qualifying session on Saturday, and believes their starting positions offer both the opportunity to finish inside the top ten.
Boullier insists it would be good to see Button in particular break into that top ten as the Briton is set to retire from Formula 1 after the conclusion of the Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit, and feels that the opportunity to choose his starting tyre could be a factor.
“Both drivers did a very good job in qualifying this evening, optimising all the available performance their cars had to offer,” said Boullier. “The result – P9 for Fernando and P12 for Jenson – provides a good platform from which both of them will be able to aim for points-scoring finishes tomorrow.
“In particular, it would be very nice if Jenson scores in what may or may not end up being his last Grand Prix – and the fact that he’ll have a free hand as regards tyre choice will assist him we hope.”
