He added: “Hopefully they [the team] can stay positive and update the car
because at the moment this isn’t good enough, so as of now we start the
development work.”
In many senses this is a year of transition for McLaren, before they make the
switch to Honda engines. Ron Dennis had declared before the season began
that McLaren would win races this year, but given Mercedes’
dominance in front, as well as the improvement of Red
Bull and Ferrari,
that seems some way off.
McLaren are currently fifth in the constructors’ championship, more than 100
points behind Mercedes. It is not just Button who is frustrated and
exasperated by the lack of progress.
Éric Boullier, hired as racing director in February, suggested that McLaren
had perhaps been caught out by the reliability of the other teams, which had
left them with fewer points than they expected.
“We have not gone backwards to be honest,” the Frenchman said on Monday night.
“We have been focusing on reliability and the driveability of the car, but
we knew Mercedes-powered cars would take some big points as we have seen.
“What has been remarkable is how fast the teams have made their cars
reliability. So at the end, our strategy was very short-term because other
teams have picked up pace and reliability and finishing races.
“It is important to feel that today, which is not the perception, but I can
promise you that if you look at the data, you can see that McLaren are
coming back, and that’s what is most important.”
Meanwhile, after a serene drive to victory on Sunday, Hamilton said he has
stripped down his travelling support at race weekends, both to maintain
focus and because his confidence levels are so high.
The 29-year-old will be looking to make it four-in-a-row in Barcelona, with
ground still to make up on Nico Rosberg in the drivers’ championship.
“For the last couple of races, I said I was happy with just my trainer so I
can chill,” he said on Monday night.
“I don’t need many people here. The only thing I am focusing on is the race,
so I am trying not to have too many people around me.
“You give your time and energy to friends and family but, at the moment, I am
spending all my time with the engineers.”