Jenson Button believes the Monaco Grand Prix could give McLaren the chance to get on terms with its rivals around a circuit that rewards handling over power.

Though the McLaren MP4-30 hasn't scored a point from the opening four races, drivers Button and Fernando Alonso have praised the confidence the chassis gives them, even if the Honda power unit has proven the weaker link being down on performance and reliability.

With this in mind, though Button expects the raft of upgrades being introduced for the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix to give the car a boost, he identifies the low speed Monaco race as a venue where the car could come into its own.

"I think already in Barcelona you will see a good step, but we have got a lot happening for Monaco with the car. Hopefully there will be a good step, not just with the power but also with the aerodynamic grip. Definitely I have got a good feeling about it.

"There are a few areas where the car needs to be stronger right now for Monaco, if we are going to go there tomorrow. It will be an interesting place to drive this car, definitely. It is such a tricky circuit to find the limit and if you have a car that you are confident in, then it makes a massive difference."

Referencing Jean Alesi's run to sixth place in the uncompetitive Prost in 2001, Button adds that confidence in a car counts for a lot around a circuit as Monaco.



"I remember Jean Alesi in a Prost doing a really good job around there because he had confidence in the car and the balance was there. It might not have had enough downforce but it worked for him and it gave him confidence.

"That is a massive thing that you need around somewhere [like that]... you need it anywhere really. I think Formula One, most drivers are very talented but it is a real mental game, but especially at Monaco, it is so