Button uncomfortable with 'loose' car

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Jenson Button's afternoon run in Barcelona was a relatively disappointing affair for the McLaren driver who failed to follow team mate Fernando Alonso into Q3.

Button will line up P12 on tomorrow's grid, and while he was far from pleased with his own performance he did admit that the overall result was a positive for the team as a whole.

"Getting one car into Q3 is great for the team," Button said.

"All in all it’s not yet where we want to be, but it’s a good job by the team and I’m sure this will put a smile on a lot of people’s faces, hopefully the fans too.

"Good job by Fernando, but for me it has been a really tough weekend, really though. In the end, to be just one and a half tenths away is the best we could do.

"It’s not so bad and we’ll start the race on new tyres. This is the best I’ve done tall weekend, it’s not so bad."

Button confessed having difficulties coming to grips with the MP4-31's current tendency to oversteer, a characteristic he believes is hindering his driving.

"The rear is really loose, it gives a floating feeling, it’s not what I like in a car, I can’t commit. I try my best but it’s definitively my strong point.

"I adapted as much as I could, and we’re getting there. Tomorrow it’s the race and we’ll see what we can get out of it.

"I’d take it’s quite sad that we are excited by getting one car into Q3 (laughs) but we are! Fair play to Fernando, he’s been very quick all weekend. Congratulations to him."

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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.