McLaren's Jenson Button has revealed that a broken rear-wing endplate was the reason he couldn't go out for a second timed lap in Q1 and will therefore start P17.
The Briton looked as though he had chosen to take a risk by staying in his garage having completed just the one lap, but with drivers lapping quickly on their second attemps, Button was knocked down the order and eventually into the drop-zone just as the clocked reach zero.
However it wasn't by choice according to the Briton. A "detached rear-wing endplate" not only caused him problems on his flying lap, but the team were unable to repair it in time to get him out for another attempt.
"It hasn’t been a lucky weekend for me so far. One of the rear-wing endplates became detached from the floor on my first flying lap in Q1, and the rear end of the car slowly deteriorated for the remainder of the lap," revealed Button.
"It happened into Turn 8, which is where the high-speed corners start, and where you need downforce, so I’m surprised I even did the lap time I did, to be honest.
"We tried to fix it in order go out again for a second run, but sadly we ran out of time."
Button remains positive however and hoping mixed conditions will help deliver some more points for McLaren.
"Still, I’m smiling because it is what is. We’ll deal with it, and we’ll come out of it stronger. I’ll be hoping for rain and something unexpected to happen in the race, and I’m still aiming for points tomorrow."
