India 2012 preview quotes: McLaren

Jenson Button: "Through no fault of my own, my weekend in Korea was a wasted opportunity – but it's already far behind me, and I'm really looking forward to these next two back-to-back races. The Indian Grand Prix went well for me last year – I had an absolutely straightforward drive, running second from start to finish. It's a circuit I like: it has a good feel to it, and you can tell it's quite different from the normal places we visit."

"There are a couple of unusual factors: firstly, the approaches to Turns Three and Four are incredibly wide – almost like a motorway – in order to stimulate different lines into the corner and encourage overtaking. I hear that's an element that’ll be carried over to the new track at Austin, too. Secondly, the combination of Turns 10 and 11 is also pretty special – it's a huge, bowl-shaped double-apex right-hander, a bit like Spoon at Suzuka. It's unusual for a new circuit to have such fast corners, and it’s really enjoyable when you get the car hooked up through there – the lateral g feels great. I think we can have a good weekend there – I'm already looking forward to it."

Lewis Hamilton: "I love India – the people, the colour, the noise, the spectacle, the chaos: it's an intense and vibrant country, with some of the most enthusiastic and friendliest people we meet all year. The circuit, too, is something of a revelation. Most modern tracks have a very similar feel; you find that the same driving style and rhythm suits them all. But the Buddh International Circuit is different: it has more in common with a great track like Spa than it does with any number of the more modern places we visit."

"And that's because it's got an incredible flow – basically, from Turn Four, a wide-apex right-hander that sweeps downhill, the track is just a series of fast, rolling curves which really allow you to put the car absolutely on the limit. I didn't have a particularly tidy weekend there last year: but I feel I've been driving better than ever recently – even if the results haven't quite shown it – so I'm headed to India determined for another good result. I think we'll have a car that's a match for the circuit and I can't wait to get out there and start practicing on Friday."

Martin Whitmarsh: Team principal, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes: "Our two weekends in Japan and Korea weren't particularly prosperous. But while fortune certainly didn't smile on Vodafone McLaren Mercedes during those two races, it's proof if it were needed that no team or driver is immune from tides of good or bad luck. Of course, luck flows both way, and I'm positive that, after two disappointing races, this next double-header will be a more profitable affair for Jenson, Lewis and the whole team."

"I think the Indian Grand Prix has the potential to become a classic event on the Formula 1 calendar – the circuit is well regarded by all the drivers, there is a natural fanbase eager and ready for Formula 1 and there is terrific market potential within the entire continent. I am a big believer in the value of the Indian Grand Prix."

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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
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Driver profile

  • Team McLaren
  • Points 37
  • Podiums 0
  • Grand Prix 41
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 19 1980 (45)
  • Place of b. Frome, Somerset, United Kingdom
  • Weight 72 kg
  • Length 1.82 m
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