• McLaren

Button: Mercedes power key to turnaround in Monaco

ESPN Staff
May 19, 2014 « Villeneuve qualifies 27th for Indy 500 | Force India not expecting to peak in Monaco »
Jenson Button has scored points at just two grand prix races this season © Getty Images
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Jenson Button hopes McLaren's Mercedes engine will power the team back up the pecking order in Monaco at a circuit where aerodynamics play less of a role than previous rounds.

McLaren has been unable to build on its double podium in Australia, and has seen itself drop down the pecking order to a position where the team has failed to score a point for three straight races. Button has made no secret that the MP4-29 is temperamental in certain conditions but believes that will not be such a problem around F1's most iconic circuit.

"There's far less of an aerodynamic influence [in Monaco], it's just about bolting as much to the car as possible in a bid to find grip, so I think the engine's influence will be greater," Button said. "So, with less significance placed on aerodynamics, I hope we can enjoy a better race than our two previous outings in China and Spain.

"Monaco is such a special case - in every respect - I just hope we can string together a good weekend: we'll need to get the absolute maximum from the car in qualifying and on the first lap to be in with a chance to put up a fair showing.

"I'm up for the challenge, and the whole team is doing a great job of staying strong and working flat-out to bring updates to every race - and Monaco is no exception."

Button also thinks Monaco will highlight just how different the new era of F1 cars are to drive from previous years.

"Obviously, I've never driven a turbocharged F1 car around Monaco before - and I'm relishing the opportunity. More than any other 2014 race, I think this event will show us the most pronounced difference between 'old F1' and the new formula we have."

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