Button rues unlucky timing of second VSC

Jenson Button concluded his 300th Grand Prix at Sepang with a consistent drive into the points and a P9 finish.

The McLaren-Honda driver was up to sixth in the first few laps but chose to pit under the first Virtual Safety Car regime which kicked him back down to 12th.

Button then battled his way back into the top 10 where he would race all afternoon, albeit losing out in the end with the unfortunate timing of his second stop which occurred just before the second VSC.

"It was all looking good until the Virtual Safety car came out two laps after I has pitted," Button lamented.

"The cars behind me were on a three-stop and I was on a two-stopper – then, three laps after I pitted, there was a Virtual Safety Car, which meant they were all able to gain 15 seconds on me for free.

"The two-stopper was the better strategy today, but it’s too difficult to make work when there’s a VSC; I was looking good for seventh up until that point.

"It’s a shame I missed it – but luck has not been on my side for these last few races."

Button had no particular issues in the latter part of the race, admitting that the McLaren-Honda's pace was simply not sufficient to recapture the lost time.

"It just wasn't quick enough, and my tyres were older than the cars in front."

The 2009 world champion now aspires to some clean runs in the last five races of the season to better his points tally.

"Hopefully for the last races I'll get a bit more luck, as we've been very unlucky with strategy lately."

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