Button: “The gap to Mercedes is still important”

Although it still has some work to do to improve performance with maximum fuel load there McLaren can be considered satisfied after this first day of testing in Bahrain.

“We managed to complete the planned program and the car seems to have responded well even if it is too early to make predictions – the report from Kevin Magnussen, 7th and 9th – We still lack a bit of pace to stay with the leaders but by taking advantage of the lower temperatures in the evening we will be able to make some progress considering that the chasing group is very close. I think the potential for a good qualifying is there, so we can also believe in the points in the race."

“I noticed a fair difference between the two sessions and above all the cooler climate helped us in terms of tire degradation even though we had to fight more to make them fully operational – the consideration ofJenson Button, 5th and 6th – The gap from those at the top is still significant, so we need to roll up our sleeves”.

Chiara Rainis