New Honda engine for Button after ICE issue

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Jenson Button has had to take an unscheduled engine change after Honda discovered a problem with the ICE on Friday night.

McLaren showed a clear step forward during the two Friday practice sessions for the Malaysian Grand Prix, with both Button and team-mate Fernando Alonso close to the pace of Force India and Sauber. However, Honda then discovered a problem with Button's car and changed the engine ahead of FP3.

"After FP2, Honda performed engine data checks to understand Friday's performance," a Honda spokesperson said. "As a result, we have found an ICE issue, and the engine is no longer suitable to be driven therefore we have changed the engine on Friday evening.

"The issue affects the ICE only ... This is something that can be managed in the future."

Honda also says the problem is different to the one suffered by Kevin Magnussen at the Australian Grand Prix.

Button finished FP3 with only the two Manor cars behind him, nearly three seconds off the pace set by Nico Rosberg.

Click here for three reasons why Honda is struggling at the start of 2015

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