McLaren driver Jenson Button admits he was not quick enough at Chinese Grand Prix 2011 – Formula 1
McLaren driver Jenson Button has said that he did not have the pace to challenge Red Bull Racing Team or his teammate Lewis Hamilton in order to win the Chinese Grand Prix 2011 despite starting from second place on the grid.
“Despite losing out to Webber for third late in the race, Button said he was relatively pleased considering how far off the pace McLaren appeared at the start of the season. A tough afternoon for me, I just didn't have the pace,” said the 2009 Formula 1
champion.
Hamilton took the victory after a dramatic race in China ahead of the two Red Bull drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in 2nd and 3rd places and proved that the MP4-26 has the pace to challenge Red Bull’s RB7.
Button had a good start as he took the lead from Vettel before heading into the first corner of the lap allowing his teammate to take the advantage over the weak start by the RB7 of the reigning world champion as well.
“First of all massive congratulations to Lewis, he drove a great race. It was one of those races where there was a lot overtaking, a lot of action involved, so it was good fun to be a part of but I wasn't quick enough. I really struggled to look after the
rear tyres for some reason,” said Button.
He added that it was an enjoyable race even though he finished in 4th place but revealed that it was extremely difficult for him to drive alongside drivers who had newer tyres on their respective cars.
Mark Webber passed him for the 3rd place quite easily mainly because of the fact that he had a new set of tyres on his car.
After the Chinese Grand Prix, Button is in 3rd place in the drivers’ standings behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton who is in the second place behind leader Vettel.
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