McLaren struggle in P2's gusts after making strong start in Austin
Monday 3 November 2014 18:17, UK
Jenson Button has conceded McLaren will find it difficult to repeat their result from Sochi in Austin this weekend, with the Briton’s own chances already compounded by a five-place grid penalty.
McLaren have headed into the US-Brazil double header on the back of their strongest form since the first race of the season, the team having overtaken Force India in the Constructors’ Championship thanks to 32 points compared to their rivals’ six over the last two races.
On Friday at the Circuit of the Americas, McLaren started strongly, finishing third and fifth-fastest in morning practice, but slipped off the pace in the afternoon on the soft tyres amid increasingly blustery winds in the Texan capital. Button, meanwhile, will drop five places from where he qualifies on the grid owing to an unscheduled gearbox change.
“We’re always quite quick in P1 – I don’t know why that is – but hopefully we can get back to where we were there,” Button told Sky Sports News HQ. “I think that’s going to be tricky but I don’t really know who we’re fighting with right now, we won’t know until qualifying and obviously the race.
“But whatever it’s going to be a difficult weekend for me starting five places back. It’s not an easy place to overtake so it’s going to be tricky.”
Asked afterwards to explain McLaren’s recent performance uplift, the Briton said it was a combination of factors, but admitted they were unlikely to be quite as strong in Austin.
“There are a few things. Some new parts on the car but also on the set-up I think we’ve found a better direction. I’m very happy about that. I saw it in Japan, we found a better direction with the car and carried it through Sochi and also to here," Button explained.
“I don’t think we’ll be as competitive here as in Sochi – I don’t think P4 will be on the cards – but I think a good points haul. But obviously more difficult for me with a five-place penalty.”
Friday afternoon's windy conditions caused trouble for numerous teams and drivers and Button admitted both he and the MP4-29 were affected.
Asked if McLaren would prefer an increase in temperatures for the weekend, Button replied: "Yeah, but we’re not going to get it. This is fine. The problem is our car is not the strongest in windy conditions and personally I don’t do as well because it means it’s a lot more difficult for me to be precise. It’s just the way I drive.
"So it’s not the easiest and it’s mostly in the slow speed corners that we get affected."
