Jenson Button was pleasantly surprised by McLaren 's performance at the Malaysian Grand Prix despite the fact both he and Fernando Alonso failed to finish the race . The McLaren pair began the race with Button 17th and Alonso 18th but were involved in a battle in the middle of the pack for the first half of the race . Alonso was forced to retire , though , after being called in by his team after 21 laps while Button lasted double the amount of time as his team-mate . Jenson Button was happy to see McLaren be more competitive at the Malaysian Grand Prix . Fernando Alonso only lasted 21 laps in Sepang in his first race of the 2015 season . Button seen on the tail of Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz at the Sepang International Circuit . But Button was happy to see his team challenging again after a lonely Australian Grand Prix where he could only manage to nurse the car home . He told Sky Sports : ' I would rather this way around ( being forced to retire ) than get to the end and be nowhere . 'We were quicker than the Force India . The Sauber was there and the Lotus was n't that much quicker . It was a nice surprise but it was also good to see where our strengths and weaknesses were compared to the rest of the cars . 'It was interesting to race with other people and a little bit unexpected . It was n't so bad , it was just a little bit messy with the pit stop and safety car . '
Both ##ports drivers chose to retire at the Grand Prix . Fernando Alonso was called in by his team after seven laps in Sepang . Jenson also drove double the time his Spanish team - mate did . Button , nevertheless , pleased and surprised to challenge midfield .