Jenson Button has admitted that he struggled to understand why McLaren lost pace in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after promising displays in practice.

The 2008 world champion will line up 13th for Sunday race, despite being sixth-fastest in Saturday's final practice session, and the Briton hints that cooler temperatures after sunset may have played a part and was downbeat about his team's chances.

He told Sky Sports News: "In qualifying, we struggled because of the cooler temperatures - we can't get enough front end in the car."

"It's not just this race. I think we're going to struggle at the last two races of the year as well if we can't get the front end, which we've struggled with at the last few races."

Button has endured a torrid season and is currently ninth in the drivers' standings, 262 points behind champion Sebastian Vettel.