Breaking news
Formula 1 Monaco GP
Button: "Massive" McLaren upgrade can make Monaco a success
Jenson Button says the "massive" step promised by McLaren-Honda's upgrades makes him confident his Formula 1 return for this weekend's Monaco Grand Prix can be a success.
Matt Beer
Edited: May 22, 2017, 1:21 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Fernando Alonso's decision to skip the Monaco F1 race to contest the Indianapolis 500 has opened the door for a one-off return for McLaren reserve Button, who stepped out of the cockpit at the end of 2016.
Alonso qualified seventh for the recent Spanish GP after McLaren brought the first part of an update package that will be completed for Monaco.
"It was great to see the performance in Barcelona in qualifying by Fernando," said Button on Monday during an event at McLaren's Technology Centre to promote its 'World's Fastest Gamer' contest.
"P7 – what a step forward. He obviously did a great lap but it shows how much improvement the team has made. It is massive. I can't say how many points of downforce but it was a lot, and there is another good step for Monaco as well.
"If 'Fonzy' [Alonso] can put it seventh in Barcelona then we should be looking sweet for Monaco."
Button declined the chance to test the 2017 McLaren in Bahrain last month, preferring to carry out all his preparations for his F1 return in the team's simulator.
He feels he has learned enough about this year's car that way, though he joked that his simulator runs had not been trouble-free.
"When I jumped in I initially didn't like the feel [of the car], and this was before the updates," said Button.
"So we made some set-up changes and it was much better and suited my style a lot more – and with the updates it is pretty awesome to drive.
"I also fell into the port twice today [on the simulator], and hopefully that will not happen. After Turn 1 [Sainte Devote] you go up the hill, I fell off on the right hand side. And rolled.
"I've never rolled in the simulator before – but I rolled! Lucky enough the impact isn't as big as in reality, but you still get a jolt and a bit of G-force."
He insisted that he would feel under no pressure in Monaco given the nature of his return.
"If I get to Turn 2 [Massenet] and feel totally out of my depth I will drive off into sunset and not come back!" Button joked. "So it is fine. It is not a problem. I have no pressure."
Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Mercedes: Spanish GP engine failure was never seen before
Next article Analysis: Can Adrian Newey turn Red Bull's fortunes around?
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Matt Beer
Ferrari drivers escape punishment for clash
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
Nov 17, 2019
Ferrari drivers escape punishment for clash
Hamilton accepts full responsibility for Albon collision
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
Nov 17, 2019
Hamilton accepts full responsibility for Albon collision
Vettel, Leclerc called to stewards over accident
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brazilian GP
Nov 17, 2019
Vettel, Leclerc called to stewards over accident
More from
Jenson Button
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Formula 1
The greatest F1 campaigns with no wins
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Formula 1
Formula 1
Italian GP
2 mo
Fernando Alonso earns Michael Schumacher comparison from Jenson Button
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
Formula 1
Formula 1 2 mo
Who belongs on F1's Mount Rushmore? Pick your four greatest drivers
More from
McLaren
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
1 d
McLaren to upgrade MCL40 car at its bogey F1 track Las Vegas
Latest news
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 16 h
The ten closest finishes from the 2026 NASCAR season
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 17 h
‘Lewis suspected a conspiracy’ – Nico Rosberg explains how Lewis Hamilton F1 rivalry went awry at Mercedes
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
18 h
BMW "proud of what we achieved" after securing runner-up in 2026 WEC
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
20 h
The numbers that reveal how sprint races have turned the MotoGP title fight upside down
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe