Button again expects a lot of passing in China

Jenson Button predicts a sizeable amount of overtaking for this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix, not least after what was witnessed in Malaysia on Sunday. The 2009 World Champion, who won in Shanghai last year, is also looking to improve on McLaren’s two podium finishes of 2011 so far.

“Along the massive back straight, even without DRS, I still think there’ll be plenty of opportunity for overtaking – especially if we see the same sort of close racing as we witnessed in Malaysia," Button commented on Monday.

“If that’s where they (F1 governing body the FIA) put the DRS zone for the race, then I think we’ll see some spectacular passing – and possibly even re-passing – down that back straight.

“Off the back of two successive podium finishes for the team, we’re not only hopeful of maintaining our finishing record, but of improving it too.

"We’ve made no secret of our desire to take the fight to Red Bull and we’re fully aware that stronger opposition will make it harder for them to have a smooth and uninterrupted weekend."