Jenson Button has revealed the full depth of McLaren’s frustrations by stating: “We won’t be on the podium this year.” Button has been an unflagging cheerleader as his team have turned in some dire performances this season but as he prepares for next Sunday’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone the former world champion admitted that neither he nor his team-mate Fernando Alonso – still regarded by many as the best all-round driver in the world – had any chance of a top-three finish.
Button, who gave McLaren their only points finish this season when he came eighth in Monaco in May, said: “We won’t be on the podium this year. I don’t go into Silverstone thinking I might not ever finish on the podium. I still hold out hope. I want to be on the podium and win in front of my home crowd. When they’ve been so supportive you want to repay them. But you’ve got to be realistic and realise that is not possible right now.”
Button has never finished on the podium at Silverstone, although he has been fourth three times since his first appearance in 2000.
McLaren were always expected to have problems this season after leaving Mercedes and turning to Honda to supply their new power unit, but no one expected the team with 12 drivers’ championships and eight constructors’ titles would be ninth out of 10 as the season approaches the halfway point, scrapping it out with Manor to avoid the wooden spoon.
The last two races, in Canada and Austria, were particularly painful, with Button and Alonso failing to finish both times. In Spielberg last weekend their race was over by lap nine, with Honda’s new president and CEO, Takahiro Hachigo, looking on with deeply etched frown.
After that result racing director Eric Boullier admitted that McLaren’s lack of track time would soon start to effect their hopes for next season.
Button said: “It hurts everyone. It doesn’t hurt me any more than everyone else. I’m a spokesperson for the team. I have to come across positive and confident because I’ve got 700 people at the factory that don’t come to a grand prix. We’re giving everything. We’re not just driving around waiting for it to get good.
“No one likes the situation we’re in. It’s our home grand prix and we want to have a good result. I think the parts we get for Silverstone will end up balancing everything out, so I’m looking forward to it. I think our car will be better there. The straights will be better – you carry speed on. Aero is very important.
“It won’t be an easy weekend but as always it will be very emotional with the British public. I’m really excited about it. It’s grassroots racing. That’s what it feels like. It’s like going karting again, or Formula Ford, and that’s what I love.”
He added: “Honda are massively committed. The new CEO is a true racer, which is great. He seems very passionate about his motor racing which is exactly what we want. They’re definitely in for the long haul. They are working nonstop in Japan. A lot of the people sleep at the factory in Sakura to put the hours in. It’s phenomenal.”
As if to cheer himself up Button recalled some of his best memories at his home race. “I was in third coming out of the pits in 2011 and the wheel fell off. Last year I was so close to a podium. Someone sent me a picture the other day – I went into turn one in P2. I was like: ‘Wow!’ Such a special feeling.
“My first grand prix at Silverstone was great. I overtook Michael Schumacher into turn one. I finished fifth with nine cylinders. I’ve had lots of very special memories there. We’re going through difficult times as a team but I think the crowd will still support us.”
