• Belgian Grand Prix - FP2

McLaren able to complete useful work despite rain

ESPN Staff
August 31, 2012 « Lotus opts not to run DDRS at Spa | Alonso 'punched above his weight' - Horner »
Jenson Button was limited to just 10 laps at Spa on Friday © Sutton Images
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McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh is confident his team managed to learn something from Friday practice despite very limited running.

Jenson Button completed 10 laps during both practice sessions while Lewis Hamilton racked up just seven laps. Nevertheless, Whitmarsh said there was still things to be learned.

"Despite the limited running, we were able to conduct a little bit of useful work, evaluating the performance of our aerodynamic upgrades and looking at tyre performance," he said. "With the field so closely covered, even the tiniest scrap of data can be useful."

Jenson Button gave an insight into how difficult the practice session had been.

"We did a couple of installation laps, but that was about it. The weather was better during the morning session because you were able to do a couple of laps with only a little bit of aquaplaning. This afternoon was extremely wet - the only reason we ran in FP2 was to do out-laps and in-laps in order to practise our starts.

"For most of the lap, you're not really pushing - then, halfway down the Kemmel straight, it suddenly gets wetter. It's a different type of asphalt, which doesn't drain as well. As soon as you hit that, you feel the car slow down and then it starts to spin its wheels.

"Hopefully, the worst conditions have blown over and we can get down to business tomorrow. It's been such a long break that we just want to get out there and enjoy ourselves."

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