The Chinese Grand Prix was far more positive for McLaren than the Malaysia Grand Prix. Both cars finished for the first time this season and the team were over three seconds quicker than the two Manor Marussia cars. Whilst no significant gains are expected for the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend being so close to the previous round, it is already clear that both Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso are more than willing to fight against what is arguably faster machinery. The long Bahrain straights and the desert conditions could well pose a tough challenge for the team, who are yet to score a single point this season.
2015 Bahrain Grand Prix McLaren Preview
No. 14 Fernando Alonso
2015 Form: -/R/12
2014 Result: Q: P10, R: P9
Alonso barely managed to score points here last year as it was clear that his Ferrari was down on power. He was outqualified by Kimi Räikkönen too which turned out to be uncharacteristic throughout the season. Whilst he has been edged out in qualifying so far this season by team mate Jenson Button, Alonso has appeared to be the stronger driver on the Sunday, and has arguably outperformed Button on both Sundays to date. Alonso has not won here since 2010, and has not stood on the podium here since then too, and this weekend could well prove to be another tough one. He could well start fighting for the lower points places though.
No. 20 Jenson Button
2015 Form: 11/R/14
2014 Result: Q: P6, R: Retired
Bahrain has not been Button’s happiest hunting ground in F1, with just two podiums, including one win. However since that win, Button has finished no higher than seventh here, and has retired in the closing stages of the race twice. He received points on his licence for pulling a move on Pastor Maldonado which the Venezuelan is usually associated with at China, and missed out on potentially finishing ahead of team mate Alonso as a result.
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