Jenson Button has insisted that McLaren are "making progress" despite the Briton finishing last in qualifying for this Sunday's Bahrain Grand Prix.
The 2009 world champion suffered a mechanical failure before posting a time in qualifying, but teammate Fernando Alonso will start from 14th.
Button told Autosport: "When you're limited with your running, stopping on the circuit, it's tough.
"We're definitely making progress, we're improving every race we go to, it's just a tough weekend on our side of the garage. But I think in terms of how everything has felt this weekend, driving the car, it's felt pretty good.
"Fernando's had our best qualifying, getting into Q2, so you've got to look at the positives."
Current world champion Lewis Hamilton will start from pole position for a fourth straight race later today.
