Upgrade a boost, says Button
2012-07-21 08:17
FOCUSED ON THE JOB AT HAND: McLaren Mercedes' Jenson Button focuses in the pits during the first practice session at the Hockenheimring circuit on July 20, 2012 ahead of the German F1 GP. Image: AFP
HOCKENHEIM, Germany - Britain's Jenson Button on Friday said he felt boosted by the performance of his McLaren car's upgrade package after a strong performance in practice ahead of this weekend's 2012 German F1 GP.
After a string of poor results in recent races, he said he had no fears of performing badly again and believed he was set to end his run of bad results.
'NEW PARTS, NEW IDEAS'
Button has not finished higher than eighth in any of the last six Grands Prix as he struggled with tyre degradation.
"The last couple of races have been difficult for both of us in terms of not being quick enough but I don't fear this race. I feel very positive," he said. "I'm excited about the race and hope, with the new parts and a few new ideas that we have for the car, we should have a much better degradation (rate). You have to be positive."
McLaren has introduced several new components this weekend and Button was quickest, ahead of fellow-Briton Hamilton, in Friday morning's opening practice.
Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado topped the times for Williams in Friday's wet afternoon session.
Button added: "I wouldn't be quick on Friday if I wasn't confident in my ability and in the car. It hasn't worked out for me but you have to keep pushing all weekend and hope to have a good race.
"Sometimes you get lucky, sometimes you luck out of it and sometimes your car works and we haven't had that lately but I hope we will this weekend."
Button admitted, however, that McLaren face a challenge in rain and said the team needed to find improvements to ensure it did not struggle in qualifying if Saturday was wet, as expected.
"We tried a lot things and some of them are working, which is good, but there's still a lot more work to improve there. The first session was dry and we got a lot of useful data.
"P2 was difficult. We proved that we are still struggling to get the tyres working in those conditions. A lot of work is needed in that area so we can be quick in the wet because I think it could be wet tomorrow (Saturday)."
Stay with Wheels24 for the 2012 German F1 weekend.
