MONACO, May 23 (Reuters) - After watching most of last year's showcase Monaco Grand Prix from a yacht bobbing in the harbour, Jenson Button would like to think Sunday's race will be plain sailing.
The Briton won in the Mediterranean principality in his 2009
championship year with Brawn GP, famously parking up in the wrong place and then running down the pit straight to the podium and jumping for joy as he went.
His return with McLaren in 2010 ended with the race barely started after a mechanic left a bung in one of his car's sidepods on the grid and the engine overheated.
"It was very short-lived," he told Reuters after finishing third in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. "I quite enjoyed myself last year. It didn't help my championship but I quite enjoyed it. I sat on the boat watching.
"Hopefully I'll spend more time in the race this year. It was a mistake and hopefully we won't make something like that again. We'll see how the car goes. It was pretty good last year and I think we know how to set up a car around Monaco."
Last year was not the first time the 31-year-old has appeared on deck while his Formula One rivals roar around the tight and twisty streets in pursuit of the most glamorous trophy on the calendar.
In 2003 Button crashed heavily in Saturday practice at the tunnel exit and was ruled out for the race while in 2005 his BAR team were serving out a suspension after they were found to have a hidden secondary fuel tank in their car.
Since then Button has sold his Monaco apartment, although his father John is still a resident, and moved to the Channel Island of Guernsey where the speed limit is a more sedate 30 miles per hour.
McLaren have a great record in Monaco, with Button's team mate Lewis Hamilton also a winner there, and the slow circuit could make their battle with reigning champions Red Bull even closer.
The introduction of the driver-operated moveable rear wing (DRS) this year, coupled with the quick-wearing Pirelli tyres, could even see some overtaking on a track where conventional wisdom has always held it to be near impossible.
"I don't think in reality we are going to see us being able to fight them (Red Bull) in qualifying for a little while. Monaco might be an exception because it's a very unique circuit," said Button.
"I've had some good races in Monaco and obviously would love to have the opportunity to do that again this year. I think we could possibly have the opportunity."
The Briton won in the Mediterranean principality in his 2009
championship year with Brawn GP, famously parking up in the wrong place and then running down the pit straight to the podium and jumping for joy as he went.
His return with McLaren in 2010 ended with the race barely started after a mechanic left a bung in one of his car's sidepods on the grid and the engine overheated.
"It was very short-lived," he told Reuters after finishing third in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. "I quite enjoyed myself last year. It didn't help my championship but I quite enjoyed it. I sat on the boat watching.
"Hopefully I'll spend more time in the race this year. It was a mistake and hopefully we won't make something like that again. We'll see how the car goes. It was pretty good last year and I think we know how to set up a car around Monaco."
Last year was not the first time the 31-year-old has appeared on deck while his Formula One rivals roar around the tight and twisty streets in pursuit of the most glamorous trophy on the calendar.
In 2003 Button crashed heavily in Saturday practice at the tunnel exit and was ruled out for the race while in 2005 his BAR team were serving out a suspension after they were found to have a hidden secondary fuel tank in their car.
Since then Button has sold his Monaco apartment, although his father John is still a resident, and moved to the Channel Island of Guernsey where the speed limit is a more sedate 30 miles per hour.
McLaren have a great record in Monaco, with Button's team mate Lewis Hamilton also a winner there, and the slow circuit could make their battle with reigning champions Red Bull even closer.
The introduction of the driver-operated moveable rear wing (DRS) this year, coupled with the quick-wearing Pirelli tyres, could even see some overtaking on a track where conventional wisdom has always held it to be near impossible.
"I don't think in reality we are going to see us being able to fight them (Red Bull) in qualifying for a little while. Monaco might be an exception because it's a very unique circuit," said Button.
"I've had some good races in Monaco and obviously would love to have the opportunity to do that again this year. I think we could possibly have the opportunity."
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire