McLaren handed an extra power unit in rules review | Sports

Jenson Button has admitted that McLaren is unlikely to record a top ten result at this weekend’s British Grand Prix after a problematic opening day at Silverstone.

Button, the 2009 world champion, and his teammate Fernando Alonso arrive at this week’s British Grand Prix in the middle of a disappointing campaign for the Woking-based outfit. Both Button and Alonso failed to make it beyond lap nine at the Austrian Grand Prix last time out.

Silverstone: Struggling McLaren will be allowed an extra engine for each of their drivers as Formula One announced a package of measures on Thursday that included an overhaul of its controversial power unit penalty system.

“But it wasn’t all planned, we had a few things that took longer to change than we expected. But I will do all I can to give the maximum of what I have in front of the home crowd”.

‘You always get speculation and the same stories at this time of year.’.

His contract with McLaren expires at the end of the current campaign and it is unclear whether he will be given the opportunity to extend his grand prix career into a 17th season with the team.

The Japanese engine supplier has endured a catastrophic return to a relationship with McLaren which dominated Formula One between 1988 and 1991. It’s still a massive test bed at the moment and we’re not going to be looking for points this weekend unless something massive happens overnight.

“So for me, being British, I absolutely love the race even though it has always been a tricky one for me – not through lack of trying, just through speed most of the time!”

“This year is also going to be tough”.

‘There is a place for electric racing if that is what you want to call it and it is a good fight for the drivers there, but not for me.’.

“However, he did acknowledge that they may have to turn their attention to the future if plans are introduced to revolutionise the sport in 2017”.

Raikkonen is now fourth in the drivers’ championship standings but well adrift of front-runners Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg of Mercedes.

“They have just done a better job than anyone, and it is not their fault that the races have sometimes become boring because they are out half-a-lap in the lead”, Button added.

He continued: “The rules will be evolutionary until we get to 2017”.

Philip Crossman, Managing Director of Honda United Kingdom: “The staff were delighted that McLaren-Honda driver Jenson Button came to visit this morning”.

“Normally they get rained on, but still pretty much every year it’s a full house, whatever the conditions, which is fantastic”. There is no point coming in straightaway and winning races because there is no challenge there. “This is no exception”.