McLaren are regretting a rookie mistake in Monaco which caused Jenson Button’s engine to overheat after just a handful of laps behind the safety car.
A sidepod cooling bung was left in the car as Button drove to the grid, blocking airflow and causing the oil to overheat, damaging the engine.
It wasn’t until the cars were lined up on the grid that it was spotted and removed. The error wouldn’t have been so costly if it wasn’t for the safety car period which meant Button had to drive slowly, further heating the engine rather than travelling at speed to cool it.
“It is disappointing for everyone in the team and for the person responsible,” Button explained. “I know these things happen but it is just hard to accept when it does. Obviously he [the mechanic responsible] is devastated. When you are trying to do your best and you make a mistake it is devastating.
“It is a cooling cover usually used in the garage or in transport. It was left in. The car went to the grid with no airflow and was cooked. You do what you can but you cannot recover from that. These cars don’t have fans, they rely on airflow, so if you deny that you are not going to survive very long,” said Button.
“It’s a mistake that you would think shouldn’t happen but it does. I’m sure the guy who did not pull it out is gutted. I feel sorry for the guy. We all make mistakes. We just have to make sure we don’t make them again. It’s done now.”
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