Button aims for ‘solid weekend’ in Belgium

Jenson Button says he hopes McLaren-Honda can have a “solid” Belgian Grand Prix weekend, despite Spa-Francorchamps not playing to the strengths of his MP4-31 package.

The longest venue of the season signals the end of Formula One’s four-week summer break with a track that Button calls “brutal on the cars”.

McLaren’s engine partner Honda has admitted the power-hungry nature of the 7.004 km layout “won’t suit us” but the 2009 world champion will try to make it back-to-back points finishes after claiming eighth at the Hockenheimring last month.

“I’ve always loved Spa right from the early days of my career – it still feels mega with every lap you do and never fails to put a smile on my face,” Button said.

“It’s easily one of the best circuits on the calendar and definitely one of my favourites, so let’s see what we can do – I hope we can have a solid weekend.”

More than outright power, Button explains that ironing out any technical issue is likely to pay dividends.

“The important thing, as always, is reliability, and because of the nature of the Spa circuit it tends to be a race of attrition,” the 36-year-old added.

“The guys and girls back at MTC [McLaren Technology Centre] and also in Sakura are working hard to keep pushing the limits of our package, and I hope we can enjoy a smooth race from that point of view.”

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