McLaren driver Jenson Button has admitted that he cannot see how the team will be able to close the gap in the Formula 1 standings.

Button could only muster a 12th-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix, while his teammate Sergio Perez ended ahead of him in 11th.

"We're clutching at straws," F1 Today quotes Button as saying. "I've never been so pleased to get out of a car. It was quite painful out there.

"It was like we were in a different category. It's really difficult at the moment to know where to look [for improvements]. It's a big gap."

Meanwhile, Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel has extended his lead at the top of the drivers' rankings to 37 points.