Jenson Button is ready to make his Formula 1 return this weekend in Monaco. Tomorrow, the Brit will take the MCL32 to track for the first time as he fills in for Fernando Alonso who is over in the US competing in the Indy 500.
The 2009 champion also revealed that he had an opportunity to test the car after the Bahrain Grand Prix in the first in-season test but declined it as he claimed it would be "absolutely pointless".
"Preparation has been good, apart from I obviously haven’t driven the car, with these new regulations," he said. "So it’s not perfect. [There was an] opportunity to do half a day in Bahrain, which I thought was absolutely useless for me to do, a completely different type of circuit, so I said to the team I think it’s best if I do a few days in the simulator. Obviously, there are drivers who love the simulator, so I was raring to go!"
Button has been spending a lot of time in the simulator, attempting to learn the characteristics of his new car. Despite the new regulations, he says that much is still the same as he remembers.
"I spent a lot of time in the simulator just getting a feel for it. It’s been interesting. Most of the stuff is the same, but there are few things that are obviously different – the difference in regulations, and then there are just the changes from year to year with new technology. A few things to learn, but it’s still a racing car. Just got to get used to it being a bit wider."
He also added that he is feeling no pressure, and is quite excited to get back on a track that he has claimed three podiums at before.
"Definitely not," he said when asked if he was feeling pressure. "I’m very relaxed, very excited actually. It’s interesting coming back for one Grand Prix, it being Monaco. I’ve won it before, I’ve been here 17 years, and had some really experiences here. It’s exciting, but I don’t feel any pressure at all. I’ll obviously get in the car and do the best job I can, that’s what I’m here to do. In everything I do in life, I’m the same."
Fergal Walsh
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (0)
Login to reply