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Jenson Button thinks McLaren can be encouraged by how close it came to making it through to Q3 in qualifying for the Russian Grand Prix. Button fell 0.09s shy of progressing on Saturday afternoon, with three tenths separating eighth and 14th. In the end Button had to settle for 12th on the grid and he admits the team's struggle to find the right balance hampered his chances of making it to the top ten. "So close, you know we had a good shot at it today anyway," Button said. "I think we were a tenth off. The balance was not quite there, I think we both probably struggled with that. It just went to big understeer. We had a tipping point where you go up a tiny bit of front wing and then it goes to oversteer, so we have been so cautious to qualifying. So it is a shame. "I think we are two tenths off eighth place. It is a good step forward. The position does not show that but it is a good step forward. Hopefully we can show that tomorrow." Despite his encouragement at McLaren's one-lap pace Button admits the layout of the Sochi Autodrom could make a painful Sunday afternoon for the team. "It is not the easiest race for us. A lot of long straights and a lot of fuel saving which is going to hurt us quite a lot. We just have to make sure we stay in a good pack near the front and try get the DRS as much as we can, because if we don't it will be a tough race. "Turn 2 is always tricky here, so stay out of trouble, gain some places, and then we will see what happens. I think it is still tricky for everyone to try to do a one-stop, so that makes the race a bit more interesting, so I am looking forward to it. So it is not a bad day."
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