Friday: Improvement for McLaren who will fight in the midfield
After a disastrous Chinese Grand Prix, McLaren drivers believe that their car has been improved by various upgrades and that they will be able to fight in the middle of the pack.
Jenson Button (No. 22) – 2nd and 7th
As in China during the last Grand Prix, the McLaren MP4-29 seems to be struggling due to temperatures – too hot this time: « With the hot temperatures this afternoon, it was more difficult for us to get the car to work properly. When you are limited in aero downforce, the car seems to operate properly within a small temperature window. »
The pace shown during free practice 1 was therefore not representative according to the 2009 world champion: « This morning, I think we were faster than we actually are. We will try to work on the balance to improve our pace on long runs. There are some improvements on the car for this weekend that seem to have improved the balance, so I hope that will help us race in the midfield group we are in. »
Kevin Magnussen (No. 20) – 7th and 6th
On the Dane’s side, it’s more optimism that can be read: « I like this circuit and the car seems better here than in Shanghai, so hopefully we can have a better weekend. I think our improvements are working: they are not going to completely change the world, but they are a small step in the right direction and we need to take these small steps. »
For him too, the fight will be for the honorary places: « If things go well this weekend, I think we can fight well in the middle of the pack. It’s not where we want to be, but it will be better than in China. »
