Jenson Button hopes that Honda's improvement since last year will mean they won't struggle in Mexico like they did last year.
The 2009 World champion missed qualifying at last year's race, and finished the Grand Prix in 14th out of 16 finishers.
But Button thinks the Japanese marque's improvements to their Energy Recovery System will stand them in good stead this weekend.
"[Energy] deployment was a long way off last year and that hurts you around here because it's a long lap, lots of straights," Button said. "My deployment was shutting off before we got to the DRS line halfway down the straight, people actually passed us before they had DRS, so it was a very difficult race."
"The layout itself I don't think it's a bad thing for our car. The mid-speed corners aren't the best, but the low-speed corners are really good for us," he added. "And in terms of deployment, I think we are the best out there, or equal to the best.
However, he warned that McLaren are still behind their competitors.
"Obviously we're still down [overall], but I think the deployment has a bigger effect around here, so it should be one of our better circuits."
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (2)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Does anyone have any data on how good everyone's ERS units are? I've heard both pundits, McLaren Honda and now even drivers say they are excelling on that bit, but it would be nice to see some numbers on it.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Or well, maybe not excelling, but among the better.