• F1

  • Teams

McLaren News

News

  • News
  • Results
More from F1
  • F1 Home
  • Teams

Jenson Button: McLaren will take 'massive' 2016 step forward

Jenson sure McLaren have the ideas to get out of their current rut

By James Galloway

Last Updated: 18/11/15 11:22am

The McLaren-Honda MP4-30 twice pulled up onto the grass during the Brazilian GP weekend
The McLaren-Honda MP4-30 twice pulled up onto the grass during the Brazilian GP weekend

Jenson Button remains certain McLaren and Honda will make "massive strides" over the winter as they plot a road to F1 recovery in 2016.

The first year of the high-profile reunion between the parties has proved calamitous with McLaren set to finish ahead of only Manor in the Constructors' Championship, their lowest placing for 30 years.

Chronic reliability and performance problems with Honda's all-new power unit have rendered Button and Fernando Alonso, the team's all-world champion line-up, backmarkers for most of a season which now has just one race to run.

But despite yet more troubles at the Brazilian GP, when both McLarens were knocked out in the first stage of qualifying and Alonso's car suffered two engine failures, Button is unmoved in believing the team will definitely move forwards in 2016.

"Looking at it now, you'd say the best team next year is going to be Mercedes, and then probably Ferrari and then probably Williams," he told Sky Sports News HQ.

"But so much can change over the winter. We're a team that's going to make massive strides in the winter - it's not 'I hope', we will.

"So it's promising and it's nice being a big part of that and helping with the direction of the car."

Jenson Button speaks to Sky F1 after another difficult race for McLaren
Jenson Button speaks to Sky F1 after another difficult race for McLaren

A report in one newspaper on Wednesday suggested McLaren are in line to suffer a £50m hit in lost revenue after the decision of long-time sponsor Tag Heuer to defect to rivals Red Bull added to the departure of other leading brands and the team's drop to ninth place in the standings.

Brundle reviews Brazil

Martin on the big talking points from Sunday's Brazilian GP

Having already fallen to fifth in the championship in 2013-14, McLaren are currently on the longest winless run in their illustrious history having last taken the top step of the podium three years ago next week.

Alonso has suggested that McLaren will need to find an improvement of 2.5 seconds to be among the leading teams next season - a jump the Spaniard reckons is achievable - and Button believes the team do have the ideas to get themselves out of their current rut.  

After failing to make it through to Q2 in Brazil, McLaren's Fernando Alonso decides to take a seat at the side of the track and catch some rays!
After failing to make it through to Q2 in Brazil, McLaren's Fernando Alonso decides to take a seat at the side of the track and catch some rays!

"I wouldn't have re-signed for the team unless I had belief in Ron [Dennis] and his leadership, but also in Sakura and Honda, and the guys at MTC [McLaren Technology Centre]," said Button, who checked in on progress at McLaren's Woking HQ on Tuesday.

"I spend more time with the guys at MTC and every time I'm in we sit down with the aerodynamicists and the engineers and discuss where we are and where we're going and whether our ideas are going in the right direction.

Also See:

  • The F1 gossip column
  • Brazilian GP driver ratings

"It's really interesting, and I'm happy with the direction it's going. You always want it quicker than it comes and you always want more than what you get - but that's everyone in Formula 1 and we've got to hope we do a better job than everyone else over the winter."

Watch The F1 Midweek Report, at 8.30pm on Wednesday evening on Sky Sports F1. The show will also be available on the Sky Sports digital platforms and On Demand.

Trending

  • 1
    Meet Britain's Mike Tyson – 'KO clip went crazy'
  • 2
    Whittingham died from fall after 'play fight', inquest hears
  • 3
    Pep after 21st win: Only focus is Man Utd
  • 4
    Elliott loses yard sponsor after dead horse photo
  • 5
    PL predictions: Greenwood to end drought
  • 6
    Greenwood: Referee Gauzere has history vs England
  • 7
    Which club has the most injuries?
  • 8
    Who will pounce for Haaland this summer?
  • 9
    Euro 2020 fixtures & schedule for 2021 tournament
  • 10
    Who are the Golden Boot candidates in Europe?
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2021 Sky UK