McLaren wrong to make 'we have the best car' claims - Button

40

Jenson Button says McLaren hasn't lived up to the team's own expectations, having made the bold claim that their chassis could compete with the best.

The Woking-based outfit often asserted last season that its MCL32 was as good as a Mercedes or a Ferrari but was pinned down by its under-performing Honda engine.

The team's change to Renault this year has undoubtedly improved its fortunes but McLaren is still nowhere near F1's trio of front-runners.

Alonso still right up there with Hamilton and Vettel - Vergne

For Button however, his former team should have refrained from creating unrealistic expectations.

"The three big teams, it's difficult to challenge them at the moment and it's going to take a while," Button told Sky News.

"McLaren came out last year and this year and said they think they might have the best car.

It's a tall order to have the best car in Formula 1 when you're racing against Ferrari and Mercedes and Red Bull. And I think we've seen that isn't the case," he added.

"So you'd say the season so far is a disappointment but if they didn't say they had the best car you'd say it's a great season for them.

"They've made good steps, they're fourth in the constructors' standings, but because of what they said at the start of the year you say maybe it's not what we expected."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.