• European Grand Prix - Qualifying
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Button frustrated by lack of rear grip

ESPNF1 Staff
June 25, 2011 « Webber glad to silence doubters | »
Jenson Button: "I had quite a bit of oversteer and I couldn't get enough rear grip or traction" © Getty Images
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Jenson Button was left frustrated after qualifying sixth for the European Grand Prix, blaming the hot temperatures for a lack of traction and rear grip in Q3.

Button has been struggling with the McLaren's balance all weekend, especially on the medium compound tyres which are new for this race. However, he had problems on the softs in the final session of qualifying and, as a result, will start from the back of a three-way battle between Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari on race day.

"Sixth position is a bit frustrating because the car felt pretty good in Q2, and I didn't have to push it too much," he said. "So I don't know why that changed for Q3. I had quite a bit of oversteer and I couldn't get enough rear grip or traction, particularly in the first two sectors. And that was something I wasn't expecting.

"The car felt really good this morning in practice, though. Maybe in this heat, the balance didn't work quite as well as it did this morning due to the higher track temperatures. It was the same with the Prime tyre: a bit more oversteer than there was this morning."

He is hoping some tweaks ahead of the race will help solve the problem on Sunday

"Still, I'm sure we can change the tyre pressures and aero balance for tomorrow, so we can still have a good race."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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