• British Grand Prix - Qualifying

Button rues balance issues

ESPNF1 Staff
July 9, 2011 « Alonso: Ferrari 'closer than ever' | »
Jenson Button's McLaren was well off the pace of the Red Bull in qualifying © Sutton Images
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Jenson Button said that he struggled with the balance of his car during qualifying for the British Grand Prix but that he was satisfied with fifth on the grid after the regulation changes.

Button was best of the rest behind Red Bull and Ferrari but a full 1.5 seconds off Mark Webber's pole position time and 0.8s behind fourth-placed Felipe Massa. On a day where rain twice curtailed sessions during qualifying, Button said that the late off-throttle blown diffuser clarification hadn't helped but at least he was in prime position to challenge the leading two teams.

"Today was a bit of a topsy-turvy day," Button said. "The balance of our car wasn't great, and it's always difficult when you find out at the last minute what you're running: it isn't a matter of a mere flick of a switch to change things.

"For some teams, the tightening of the regulations helped; but it hurt others. So I guess fifth place feels just about okay after what we've been through in the past few days. Hopefully, we can still take the fight to the guys in front at our home grand prix, and give the famous Silverstone crowd something to shout about."

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