Jenson Button says McLaren’s car for the 2013 Formula One season is the “best they’ve ever made” and believes they can challenge for the title.
The 33-year-old Briton, who won the F1 crown in 2009, finished fifth in the drivers’ championship last season well behind champion Sebastian Vettel, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton (who has now moved to Mercedes) also well off the pace in fourth.
However, Button said McLaren has an excellent car for the 2013 season (the Mercedes-powered MP4-28) and believes they can contend for the title.
“We were extremely strong throughout the whole of the 2012 season, but, for one reason or another, we couldn’t quite pull it all together to challenge for the championships,” Button said.
“That’s something we want to address for 2013. I’ve seen just how closely everybody has been working together on this car, and I think we’ve got the basis for a very strong season.
“This year’s car is the best we’ve ever made - I know the engineers have left absolutely no stone unturned in wringing every ounce of performance from every available area.”