McLaren-Honda confirmed that Jenson Button will be racing for the team at the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix. The Brit returns to Formula 1 just few months after his retirement from the sport to replace Fernando Alonso, who will be missing the race due to other commitments. The Spaniard will compete with McLaren-Honda-Andretti over the weekend of the Indianapolis 500, which will take place on the same date (May 28th) as the Monaco Grand Prix. Alonso will return to Formula 1 duties from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards, and […]

Jenson Button was left to rue a damaged rear wing endplate on his McLaren MP4-31, which led to him being eliminated from the first knockout segment during qualifying for the British Grand Prix. Button notionally set the 15th quickest time but the damage to his car meant he was unable to return go the circuit. Button was left to watch on helplessly as rivals improved their times, shuffling the Briton down to 17th position as he prepares to tackle his home race on Sunday. "It […]

Jenson Button says McLaren perfected its strategy at the Austrian Grand Prix but is realistic not to expect such results at every race this season. Button enjoyed his strongest performance since McLaren linked up with Honda at the beginning of 2015 as he started from third on the grid, before moving up to second when the lights went out. Button was ultimately overhauled by quicker rivals but was able to finish in sixth position, collecting eight championship points in the process. "I knew the race […]

McLaren-Honda driver Jenson Button says he and the team judged conditions to perfection as he secured a surprise third place on the grid for the Austrian Grand Prix. Button progressed through to Q3 for the first time since 2014 and was one of the last drivers to switch from Intermediates to Ultra Soft tyres. Button was therefore the last driver to complete a lap and he took advantage of drying conditions to set the fifth best time, which became third due to grid drops for […]

Transcript of the Thursday Press Conference organised by the FIA for the 2016 Italian Grand Prix. Drivers – Esteban Gutierrez (Haas), Carlos Sainz (Toro Rosso), Kevin Magnussen (Renault), Jenson Button (McLaren), Kimi Raikkonen (Ferrari), Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) PRESS CONFERENCE Q: Kevin, obviously a horrible accident in Spa. How are you and what did you have to do to get ready for this race? Kevin Magnussen: I have just relaxed. Nothing was broken, I wasn’t injured so just a bit sore in my body and I […]

Fernando Alonso says he retired from the European Grand Prix as a precaution, due to a worsening gearbox problem with his McLaren-Honda MP4-31. Alonso was battling with Jenson Button on the fringes of the top 10 when he slowed, pulling into the garage with nine laps remaining at the Baku City Circuit. "This was always going to be a difficult race for us – and that’s made even more difficult when you don’t see the chequered flag," he said. "We had a developing issue on […]

Jenson Button was left to rue a surprise exit from the first stage of qualifying at the European Grand Prix in Baku. Button was only 19th quickest during Q1 after running wide at Turn 15, which left him with worn tyres as he attempted a second run. Button was unable to improve on his time and will start the race ahead of only Sauber's Marcus Ericsson and Renault pair Kevin Magnussen and Jolyon Palmer. "In Q1, I locked up into Turn 15 – we’d fitted […]

Jenson Button says McLaren shouldn't be fearful of the layout of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, home to this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, as the outfit bids to continue making progress. McLaren endured one of its worst weekends of 2015 in Canada as the high-speed nature of the circuit did not suit its package, with the weaknesses of Honda's power unit displayed in emphatic fashion. However, Honda has since made substantial progress and, allied to the strengths of the MP4-31, Button is confident that the operation […]

Fernando Alonso is sure that McLaren can move up the grid when Formula 1 action resumes at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday. McLaren has pinpointed Monaco as a potentially strong race for the team due to the limited impact of the power unit, and has targeted getting both cars into Q3 and a points finish on Sunday. However, Alonso was 12th quickest across Thursday's practice sessions, as Jenson Button crept into the top 10. "We know this is a good opportunity for us in […]

Jenson Button has played down McLaren's prospects of a strong result in Spain this weekend but is adamant that the outfit is working tirelessly to move up the grid. Button scored his first point of the season in Russia as team-mate Fernando Alonso took sixth, but the Briton is more downbeat over McLaren's chances of repeating such a result at Formula 1's traditional test venue. "The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is not a circuit that would traditionally suit us, since it’s fairly hard on both the […]

Fernando Alonso reckons McLaren can make it through to Q3 at the Russian Grand Prix after an encouraging pair of Friday practice sessions for the team in Russia. Alonso finished the second session at the Sochi Autodrom in 10th position, while team-mate Jenson Button was eighth, giving the Spaniard confidence that it can compete for the top 10 placings in qualifying. "Getting at least one car into Q3 tomorrow would be good news for us," he said. "I think that’s possible. I know in the […]

Jenson Button is sure that McLaren will be able to display its full potential when Formula 1 returns to its European heartlands next month. McLaren has made progress following a difficult reunion with Honda in 2015, though Button has yet to collect a point, scoring a 14th and 13th in Australia and China respectively, split by a retirement in Bahrain. However, Button was running inside the top 10 before his MP4-31 failed in Bahrain, while McLaren's shot at Q3 was scuppered in China due to […]