Skip to content

Jenson Button optimistic about McLaren's prospects but suspects Mercedes are ahead

Newly-engaged Jenson second only to Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes in the timesheets for Day Three of the first Bahrain test

Jenson Button
Image: Jenson Button in the MP4-29

An optimistic Jenson Button believes McLaren are on course to be fully prepared for the first grand prix of the season in Australia - but admits they currently can't match Mercedes' levels of rear downforce.

Indeed, after enduring their worst season for 30 years last year when the team failed to finish on the podium all year, Button said morale was high again at Woking and the team had their "buzz back". "We know we're not the quickest right now; we know we're not slow either and the great thing is we can put a lot of laps," he said in a separate interview with written media. "And it's not coming in to the pits, doing a lot to the car and going back. We can go out and do a race distance. "That is promising and I think that shows how tough last year was for us, and the winter. The guys have done a fantastic job and I remember coming back to the factory after the first test and speaking to them and saying 'guys, I know I'm supposed to stand here and say this is just the start, you've got to work even harder' but I first wanted to say how grateful I was. They've done such a good job of developing this car and obviously now we've got a lot of confidence to move forward. "It's those guys who have made it go round and round. The night shift, the day shift, the guys back at the factory. The guys are so pumped for this year after such a bad year last year. These guys don't just have a job with McLaren, they're here to race and they'd do anything to win grands prix. It's great to see the buzz is back in McLaren." Fastest laps of Bahrain Test One
1. Nico Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:33.283, Day Four.
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:34.263, Day Three.
3. Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, 1:34.910, Day Two.
4. Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:34.957, Day Four.
5. Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:36.445, Day Two.
6. Fernando Alonso, Ferrari, 1:36.516, Day Two.
7. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:36.718, Day Four.
8. Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:37.066, Day Three.
9. Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber, 1:37.180, Day Three
10. Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:37.328, Day Two. The third and final pre-season test starts on Thursday morning in Bahrain. The Sky Sports F1 Online team will be providing live commentary from dawn until dusk on all four days, with live updates from trackside also on Sky Sports News.

Around Sky