Button hoping to put ‘bad day in the office’ behind him in China

Jenson Button suffered a rare lapse in concentration in Malaysia, after colliding with the slower HRT of Narain Karthikeyan. This in turn forced the 2009 World Champion to pit for a new nose cone, and subsequently Button failed to score any points, therefore loosing his lead in the World Championship.

However, Jenson Button is eager to jump back in his McLaren next weekend for the Chinese Grand Prix and will be hoping to repeat the success he found in 2010 when he won for McLaren in changeable conditions.

When asked whether his troublesome race in Malaysia changes his preparations for the next race, his was reply was positive, “Not really, it makes you a little keener to get back in the cockpit as you’re always a bit more determined to be looking ahead rather than looking back. But, like I say, it doesn’t really make any difference. In fact, the three-week break has been extremely relaxing – I was able to get away, relax and keep training. It’s still the start of a very long season, so it’s good to keep fit and refreshed. I’ve usually gone well in Shanghai, it’s a circuit I really enjoy and I’m looking forward to the race weekend.”

Jenson Button’s idea of a relaxing three-week break consisted of a Triathlon in Waikoloa in Hawaii, which saw the British driver complete a 1.5k swim, 40k bike ride and a 10k run in roughly two hours. Button took part in the event as an amateur, and says that competing in such events relax him when he is away from the track.

With the characteristics of the Shanghai International Circuit, tyre wear is expected to be another key factor throughout the race weekend. Jenson Button has acknowledged the importance of tyre wear during the Chinese Grand Prix, “Tyre wear will also be very important – last year we saw a real disparity between the compounds – so getting the preparation right will be crucial.”

McLaren currently lead the Constructors’ Championship by 8 points to Red Bull, but with such a competitive season on the cards, the Woking based team cannot afford to rest on their laurels.

Follow me on Twitter - @AndyYoungF1