McLaren caused own Clutch issues in Bahrain GP

[John S]

I wondered why no blame was given to clutch supplier post race.

Still don't really understand it.  Did they burn out the clutches - anyone got any ideas?

Jenson Button has revealed an experimental set-up caused the clutch issue that wrecked the McLaren Formula 1 team's Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Woking team discovered problems with the clutches on both cars during the late-race safety car period in the Middle Eastern night race earlier this month.

McLaren tried to alleviate the issues by adjusting settings, but ultimately suffered two costly non-finishes.

Magnussen retired behind the safety car, while Button stopped shortly after having been fifth at the restart.

"We tried something over the weekend and didn't realise it would have the effects it did. That's why we had the clutch issues," Button told reporters in the build-up to this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.

"It's alright because it's not something that just happened. We know the reason for it and we knew the reason during the race, which was a bit of a pain.

"We're trying to improve all the time, even half a tenth makes such a big difference for the way the grid is, so you're trying things.

"It's not that we massively risked something, but it was a knock-on effect that created the issue."

Button said he had been surprised by how competitive McLaren was in Bahrain and hopes an update package for this weekend's race in China will allow his team to overhaul Force India for second spot in the constructors' championship.

"We hope the car will remain strong because we didn't expect to be quick in Bahrain," he added.

"It's a style of the circuit where we have some weaknesses with traction, [so] we were surprised to be where we were.

"We weren't quickest, but nobody for a long time is going to get anywhere near the Mercedes.

Autosport.com, Today.