• United States Grand Prix - FP2

Button not worried by Vettel's pace

Jenson Button was full of praise for the first sector at COTA © Sutton Images

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• Report:
• Vettel completes domination of Friday practice
  

• Race:
• United States Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Jenson Button

• Teams:
• McLaren

Jenson Button does not believe Sebastian Vettel will enjoy such a big advantage over the rest of the field in qualifying for the United States Grand Prix as he did in practice.

Vettel was over a second clear of the McLaren's in FP2 having been 1.4s ahead of the rest of the field in the opening session on Friday. Button, however, doesn't think it's an advantage that reflects the true gap between the front runners but does show how easily Red Bull can get its tyres switched on compared to McLaren.

When asked if he was concerned by Vettel's advantage, Button replied: "No, because I don't think many people actually got a good lap in practice on low fuel.

"But, yeah, the Red Bull's a quick car and Seb's very quick in it. They're definitely going to be the people to beat in qualifying but the gap isn't as big as it looks I don't think.

"It's not just their outright speed it's how easy they get the tyres working. They can do a very quick lap on lap one but for us that's impossible. It's just the way that the car works, it's different but I don't think there's going to be a second gap between Seb and us in qualifying; I think it's going to be a lot closer."

McLaren was running a new front wing during practice but Button said it wasn't an upgrade that would have a big impact.

"It's not massive but it's not so much about putting downforce on the car; it's about balance more than anything else."

Button was more effusive in his praise for the new Circuit of the Americas, especially the first sector.

"The layout I think is good. Turn one is probably my least favourite corner, and then from turn two to turn nine is my favourite section; I just think it's great. It's where you really see what a Formula One car can do in that section, the change in direction is quicker than Becketts at Silverstone and that's saying something! I really enjoy that section."

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