• Singapore Grand Prix - Qualifying

Button looking to capitalise on slow Red Bull starts

Jenson Button launched his McLaren to fourth on the grid © Getty Images

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• News:
• Alonso pips Vettel to Singapore pole
  

• Race:
• Singapore Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Fernando Alonso
• |
• Jenson Button
• |
• Lewis Hamilton
• |
• Sebastian Vettel

• Teams:
• McLaren
• |
• Red Bull

Jenson Button is looking to capitalise on Red Bull's slow starts to move through the field at the start of the Singapore Grand Prix and fight for a podium.

Button will start from fourth on the grid behind McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton, the Red Bull of Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso on pole. He said he was confident the McLaren would be quick in race trim but put an onus on the getaway from the grid.

"For tomorrow, the start will be the key," Button said. "My aim will be to pass Sebastian [Vettel]. The Red Bulls' pace off the line hasn't been great recently, and I also think we can have a good race because our pace on high fuel has looked good around here."

He said his qualifying had not gone to plan but he was still pleased with the result.

"Q3 was very tough: I pushed very hard, because I was the first car out of the pitlane and we wanted to make sure we were able to fit two runs in; but in the first sector I damaged the rear tyres a little," Button added. "After that I struggled a bit.

"So, for the second run, I thought I'd take it a bit slower on the out-lap, and drive the first sector a little easier, but I didn't have enough tyre temperature when I got to the first sector - so I struggled. But the second and third sectors were both very good - I just didn't nail the first sector, and that cost me a few tenths.

"But fourth isn't too bad; we're a lot closer to the Red Bulls than we feared we might be. The Ferrari looks quick, but I'm reasonably happy - much happier than I was after my qualifying here last year."

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