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Button slowly getting to grips with new-spec MCL32

Jenson Button continued to get acquainted Thursday afternoon in FP2 with McLaren's 2017 challenger, fine-tuning his understanding and mastering of the car.

The Monaco Grand Prix 2009 winner ended his session P12, just 0.035s behind team mate Stoffel Vandoorne.

Button's initiation went well in the morning but getting on top of the car's performance later on was a predictable challenge.

"In FP1, I found my feet pretty quickly, FP2 was a bit trickier because there was so much more grip and it’s just very different to what I’ve experienced for the last seven years," he said.

Vettel takes charge in Monaco for FP2

"I’m braking for corners and I just feel like I’m gonna be in the barriers. It’s strange initially, but I’m definitely getting to grips with it.

"High-speed is so much fun, the first part of the Swimming Pool is flat – I can’t remember the last time it was flat, it probably hasn’t ever been for me.

"That’s great, Turn 3 is a lot of fun as well, but there are braking areas where there’s a lot of work still to do, to get confidence to brake hard.

"It’s the old beginners' thing. You brake early, you lift early, you turn in and accelerate early and you understeer off.

"There’s a lot to come and hopefully I can sort myself out on Saturday morning after I’ve been through the data."

While nowhere near exploiting the MCL32's full potential, Button took to driving an F1 car around Monaco like a fish takes to the Mediterranean.

"I drove through Turn 5 and immediately I had a little giggle to myself that I was driving a Formula 1 car again, after seven months and it was around Monaco," he said.

"Lovely experience, really.But whatever happens this weekend, for most of it, it will be forgotten on Monday.

"The important thing is to enjoy what I do this weekend and that’s it, really. Have fun and make some more memories for myself."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.