Still buzzing from his victory in Melbourne, Jenson Button says McLaren-Mercedes can develop faster than other teams this year and forecast another solid showing in Malaysia this week.
The British defending world champion, who switched from Brawn GP last season, is full of confidence going into the weekend after his early switch to dry tyres reaped spectacular rewards at the Australian Grand Prix.
“It was a tremendous achievement to score our first win of the season in Melbourne last weekend, and it’s given every single member of the team even greater enthusiasm for this weekend,” he said.
“Even so, I think we are in Sepang mindful that the characteristics of the circuit probably won’t suit our car as well as it will suit some of the others, but I’m confident that, once again, we’ll be fighting at or near the front.”
Button believes his McLaren team is laying the early groundwork for a full-scale assault on the world championship this year, even though it does not have the quickest car, with Red Bull and Ferrari still considered faster.
The improvements will come though, he said.
‘We can deliver’
“We’re only two races in. It’s the rate of improvement that will most influence the battle at the front,” he said.
“And I’m confident we can deliver in this area: it was something I watched the team doing throughout 2009, and it was one of the key reasons for deciding to hold talks with the team.
“I’m convinced we have the firepower to develop faster than our key rivals.”
The Briton won in Malaysia last year after starting on pole and it is a circuit he likes, and one where he plans to add to the 31 points he already has in the bag from the season’s opening two races.
“Sepang is an awesome circuit, one that I love driving, and I think that I’ll be able to further develop and improve my relationship with the car here,” he said.
“It’s a circuit that not only requires smooth and precise input, but it also needs real commitment through some of the high-speed stuff. I think it’s a circuit that every driver loves.”
McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said it was important to continue the momentum from Melbourne into Malaysia.
“We’re under no illusions that the regular pacesetters will once again be up at the front,” he said.
“But I think we’ve now shown that we’re a match for the competition, particularly with our race pace, which is up there with the very best.
“Sepang is a circuit that delivers a natural spectacle and is one of the best places in the world for watching Grand Prix cars at high speed. It looks like we have all the ingredients for a classic season.” — AFP