F1: Button Disappointed With Sixth

Formula 1

F1: Button Disappointed With Sixth

McLaren Mercedes' British driver Jenson Button moves up a slot due to Sebastian Vettel penalty...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted November 03, 2012 Abu Dhabi (ARE)

McLaren Mercedes' British driver Jenson Button speaks during a press conference at the Yas Marina circuit on November 1, 2012 in Abu Dhabi during the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. (Photo: Getty Images)

A frustrated Jenson Button could qualify only sixth in Abu Dhabi, having been closer to team mate Lewis Hamilton for much of the weekend. But the McLaren Mercedes' British driver gets bumped up a slot because Sebastian Vettel will start from the back of the grid.

Button said he found the car behaving differently when it mattered in qualifying.

“I think I’m pretty disappointed,” he admitted. “Lewis obviously did a great job. For me just couldn’t find the time in the car. All weekend the car’s felt pretty good, very happy with the car all weekend, just adjusting it little by little, and I then get to qualifying and the car’s completely different. It’s difficult to understand why.

“All qualifying was tough, for me especially on the prime. I was really surprised at how far I was off on the prime, because all weekend I’ve been very strong on both tires, but especially the prime.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.