Briton ninth fastest but says the problem can be fixed
Friday 25 July 2014 18:24, UK
Jenson Button struggled with the balance of his McLaren during Friday practice for the Hungarian GP but thinks the problem can be solved in time for qualifying.
Button ended the afternoon session at the Hungaroring ninth fastest overall, about 1.7s slower than pacesetter Lewis Hamilton and also down on team-mate Kevin Magnussen, who was fifth.
“The long run on the high fuel it wasn’t too bad. I was reasonably happy; the low fuel was inconsistent but it’s something we can change overnight and solve overnight, so I’m not too worried about that,” Button said afterwards.
“It was very tricky, very difficult to be consistent corner to corner, let alone lap to lap. I like a precise car and we definitely didn’t have that today.
Asked to explain his car’s poor handling, Button said: “I think it’s the braking system. We’ve just got to solve a few issues; it’s doing a few things I don’t like right now.
“But the good thing is those are the sorts of things you can work with and improve, so I’m not too worried about that.”
Team-mate Magnussen enjoyed a more productive day but doubts he can improve upon his position heading into the weekend.
“If we can sneak into the top five, great, but it’s going to be difficult,” said the Dane, who qualified fourth last time out but reckoned he’d been flattered by Hamilton’s brake failure at Hockenheim.
“Our pace in Germany was P5,” he added. “Lewis would have been quicker, so we would have been P5. If we can do the same here then that would be very good.”
