Button buoyed by long run pace

Jenson Button says he is positive about his race day chances in the Hungarian Grand Prix after a positive showing during a long distance run during free practice.

The McLaren-Mercedes driver was ninth fastest following second free practice, but while he says he struggled for balance over a single fast lap, it was better behaved with a higher fuel load.

Satisfied the car will be better for qualifying once changes have been applied overnight, Button - who won his first F1 race at the Hungaroring back in 2006 - was in a positive mood following the sessions.

"On the long run with the high fuel it wasn't too bad," he said. "I was reasonably happy with the car but on the low run it was very inconsistent but it is a problem we can solve overnight. I like a precise car and we didn't have that today.

"I could get corners together but getting a whole lap together was very tricky, so a more consistent balance is what I need from the car. I didn't really get a lap together but it was a useful session, so hopefully that will help us improve tomorrow."

Asked where he felt McLaren is relative to its rivals this weekend, Button suggested Williams will be within closer range this weekend.

"We don't know yet. I would say we aren't racing the Mercedes and the Red Bulls, but the Williams seems a little less competitive here."