Button cites MP4-31 chassis and stability under braking as reasons for optimism in Montreal
Monday 13 June 2016 13:05, UK
Jenson Button believes McLaren's improved performance means they shouldn't be "fearful" of a power-reliant Canadian GP track.
Button and Fernando Alonso scored points for the Woking team in Monaco but the Montreal circuit and its straightline sections present far more challenges for the MP4-31's package.
Both drivers were forced to retire in a 2015 edition which further highlighted Honda's engine problems, but Button says he is confident they will see another step in the right direction this weekend.
"Although this is one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, and very power-hungry, one of the strengths of our chassis is stability under heavy braking," Button, who won the Canadian GP in 2011, said.
"So we shouldn't be fearful of going to a circuit like this and finding ourselves on the back foot.
"Our development rate is steep and there's huge work going on behind the scenes to constantly improve the performance of our whole package, so I'm excited to see how we perform in Canada, given how different the circuit's characteristics are compared to Monaco."
Despite Alonso's P5 and and the Brit's P9 in the last race the team had expected more on the Monte Carlo streets, which should have suited their chassis and set-up.
While Button is hoping for a "few surprises" when it comes to the weather in Montreal, Honda F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa conceded that McLaren were bracing themselves for a tough weekend.
Six Grands Prix in eight weeks!
"It's a very different animal to Monaco, so it will be a challenging weekend for the team," he said.
"But we will keep our heads down and focus on what we can do to bring out the best in our package."
