Formula 1

Jenson Button believes McLaren can be fourth fastest car in Singapore

Published Nov. 15, 2016 1:58 p.m. ET

foxsports

A bullish Jenson Button believes that McLaren could have the fourth fastest car in Singapore - and the Briton has thus targeted seventh place, assuming that all the cars ahead finish.

Singapore was a strong race for McLaren even last year, with a much weaker package than it has now, and the team has long anticipated a good performance this weekend.

“You’d say it’s a Red Bull/Mercedes track, then Ferrari is behind,” said Button. “And then behind Ferrari, I think it’s all to play for us. I think seventh is the best place we can finish here, and if all six cars finish in front, we’re going to be seventh. If that is the case, then I think we should be happy with what we’ve achieved. it’s a good step forward.

“I think we’re probably racing Force India around here for that position. So yeah it’s exciting. It’s nice seeing progress, and the team moving forward.”

After Monza, Button blamed his poor first lap on the announcement of his future plans disrupting his weekend, but this weekend he faces no such problems.

“To be fair, after the first lap it was an awesome race. I felt I was very happy with my speed, very happy with my speed in the race, as I have been for most of the year. But yeah, I shouldn’t make any slip-ups really, and this weekend I won’t.”

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