3
Jenson Button believes that he can score points this weekend in Monaco as he pulls himself out of his semi-retired state to replace Fernando Alonso. The Brit will race the MCL32 around the streets of Monte Carlo, a race which he has won before - in his title-winning year of 2009.
Button announced that he would be taking a sabbatical in 2017 despite signing a two-year contract with McLaren. The team has stated that if a seat becomes available for 2018, Button will be there to fill it. However, he has since come out and said he wishes for this race to be his very last.
The 37-year-old was excited to get going after spending plenty of time in the simulator. Seeing Alonso get to P7 in qualifying in Barcelona gives him a boost of confidence that he will be able to score a good result at the end of the 78 laps.
"I'm very excited," he told media during McLaren's launch for its 'World's Fastest Gamer' initiative. "It was great to see the performance of Fernando in Barcelona, P7, what a step forward. He obviously did a great lap but it shows how much of an improvement the team has made and we have another good step for Monaco.
"I initially didn't like the feel of the car [in the sim] but this was before the updates. We made some set-up changes and it felt much better and suited my style more. With the updates, it is pretty awesome to drive.
"So it's very positive for me it is a great race to come back for, it was my home for 17 years, I have won in Monaco and had some great races in Monaco. It is a race where the car should work well. Hopefully [we can be in the points], if Alonso can put it seventh in Barcelona we should be looking sweet for Monaco."
Button drove the simulator this morning and had a rather unfortunate incident - his first ever. The 2009 world champion claimed he actually fell off the track and rolled the car into the swimming pool. He was thankful the G-Forces in the simulator aren't as realistic as reality.
"I also fell in the pool twice today, hopefully, that won't happen. You know after turn one you go up the hill? I fell off on the right-hand side, rolled – I have never rolled in the simulator before! Lucky the impact isn't as big as reality but you get a jolt from G-force."
There's been a weird hole in the paddock without JB. Always a pleasure to see him race!
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f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Will be nice to see him back!